LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Powerful winds forecast yesterday threatened to whip up massive fires still burning around Los Angeles in the United States (US), possibly worsening an inferno that has killed at least 25 people.
A week after blazes erupted and spread uncontained, forecasters predicted “particularly dangerous” Santa Ana winds would spike.
“Stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate. Avoid anything that can spark a fire,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said, warning of gusts up to 110 kilometres per hour.
Part of Los Angeles County and much of neighbouring Ventura County were in a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” according to the NWS, a designation that was in effect before last week’s deadly blazes.
“All the plants and vegetation is really dry and ready to burn so… fires can grow pretty fast,” meteorologist Ryan Kittell told AFP on Tuesday.
The Palisades and Eaton fires – both of which are still burning in places – could flare up, and new ignitions could quickly turn problematic, Kittell said.
Officials insisted they were poised for any renewed threats, particularly around the existing burn sites, after hydrants ran dry in the initial firefight.
“We have checked the water system in the Eaton fire area, and it is operational, meaning that we have water and we have pressure,” fire chief Anthony Marrone said.
The renewed danger comes with 9,700 hectares of the upmarket Pacific Palisades in ruins and 5,700 hectares of the community of Altadena badly charred.
Gusting winds were also whipping up toxic ash, with health officials urging everyone to wear a mask.
“Ash is not just dirt,” said Anish Mahajan of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.
“It’s hazardous fine dust that can irritate or harm your respiratory system and other parts of your body where it lands.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday ordered debris removal teams to be on standby, as emergency managers look ahead to possible winter rainstorms that could provoke mudslides.
Some Palisades locals have decided not to wait, working to remove scorched debris from roads and sidewalks themselves.
Contractor Chuck Hart and his crew were working on a construction site in his neighbourhood when the fire broke out.
After they saved his mother’s house from encroaching flames, Hart said they began making rounds to clean debris from the streets.
“We just rock-and-rolled,” he said. “We’ve just been doing that non-stop ever since.”
