Los Angeles wildfire ‘Red Flag’ warnings have ended, but dangers remain By Reuters

By Jorge Garcia and Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Red Flag warnings warning of extreme wildfire danger expired across the Los Angeles area on Wednesday, but forecasters warned of dry and windy conditions. will continue on Thursday, and that the threat of fire is still there.

The National Weather Service added that respite for fire-ravaged Los Angeles will be short, with the possibility of renewed Red Flag warnings – while fire-friendly wind conditions are strength and low humidity reign – starting again on Sunday.

About 6.5 million people remained under severe fire threat, after the blaze burned an area roughly the size of Washington, DC, causing at least 25 deaths so far. officials said.

Firefighters on Wednesday faced persistently strong and dry winds fueling two of the country’s largest wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles for eight days, testing the resilience of the disaster-stricken city. worst in its history.

Officials have urged residents to stay alert and prepare to evacuate at a moment’s notice in the hope that strong winds will continue through Thursday afternoon.

“We want to repeat a particularly dangerous situation today. Get ready now and get ready to go,” County Executive Lindsey Horvath told a press conference on Wednesday.

Forecast winds of up to 70 mph (112 kph) did not materialize Wednesday. However, firefighters reported winds of 30 to 40 mph (48 to 64 kph) combined with low humidity in an area that has failed to receive any substantial rainfall in nine months, meaning fire threats remain.

The fires have damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 houses and other structures, and forced nearly 200,000 people from their homes. About 82,400 people were under evacuation orders and another 90,400 faced evacuation warnings as of Wednesday, County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, leaving behind smoldering ashes and rubble. Most houses have only the chimney stack left standing.

About 8,500 firefighters from the western United States, Canada and Mexico kept the fire at bay for three days.

The Palisades fire on the west end of the city has burned 23,713 hectares (96 sq km), and property is 19% contained – a measure of how much the area is under control. The Eaton (NYSE:) The fire on the eastern edge of the city stood at 14,117 hectares (57 sq km) with 45% containment.

A fleet of airships and helicopters dropped water and fire extinguishers on the rugged hills as ground crews with hand tools and hoses worked to contain the blazes.

Aerial fire fighters – or fire bombers – operate without proper equipment or autopilot, as the pilot’s view from the window and his experience.

“I call it ‘feeling the force,'” said pilot Diego Calderoni, from a contractor in New Mexico, referring to the mystical force in the Star Wars movies.

Hundreds of visiting firefighters and emergency workers sit outside the Rose Bowl football stadium, a base camp where teammates bond 24 hours a day. 24 from.

Martin Macias of the St. Louis Fire Department. Helena, Northern California, said: “All in it for the same job.” “We’re all in this process as a service, to make someone’s day better at the worst time.”

A new fire broke out on Wednesday in San Bernardino County east of Los Angeles, burning 30 hectares (12 acres), Cal Fire reported. Two other fires in Southern California were largely under control.

Some Angelenos are still trying to get back into shape.

Students and teachers displaced by the wildfires from Palisades Charter Elementary School found a new home Wednesday at nearby Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet, where they were welcomed with open arms.

“For the children who lost their homes and also lost their school, it’s very painful. And the way I can help and the way I can give back is to make sure that those children have a place to go there. Even though we lost the physical building, we still have our community,” said Palisades Charter Elementary Principal Juliet Herman.

ASK A FIRE QUESTION

As the fire continues, critics have questioned whether the city is well-prepared for the fire hazard in the face of National Weather Service warnings about dangerous weather, although firefighters they were alert and able to deliver in advance.

Fire Chief Kristin Crowley took questions Wednesday about a Los Angeles Times report that fire officials voted against ordering 1,000 firefighters to stay on the job for a second shift Tuesday and passed as the fire started to get out of control.

The Times quoted analysts who said the outgoing staff should have been kept on the job and that 25 other fire engineers should have been moved to the hills.

Crowley defended his department’s preparedness, saying it was impossible to know exactly where a fire might break out and that other firefighters had to be on hand to respond to routine calls. emergency anywhere in the city.

“We did our best to work where we could,” Crowley said.

The Times quoted Deputy Chief Richard Fields, who oversaw personnel and equipment decisions before the fire, as saying the review was welcome but analysts were too easy to make decisions after the fact.