Firefighters in Southern California swiftly brought several brush fires under control on Monday, despite facing challenging weather conditions marked by strong winds and low humidity. The extreme fire weather, which poses a heightened risk of new wildfires, is expected to persist until Tuesday, as officials remain on high alert.
Wind gusts were forecast to reach up to 113 km/h along coastal areas and 160 km/h in mountainous and foothill regions, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). A warning for a “particularly dangerous situation” was issued for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego counties due to the combined impact of Santa Ana winds and dry conditions.
Andrew Rorke, a meteorologist with the NWS in Oxnard, cautioned that the conditions could lead to rapid fire growth if new blazes ignite.
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On Monday, Los Angeles fire crews quickly extinguished a small brush fire near the Griffith Observatory, with police detaining a man suspected of starting the fire. Another fire broke out along Interstate 405 in Granada Hills, briefly halting northbound traffic before firefighters brought it under control.
Further south, firefighters contained a blaze in Poway, San Diego County, before it could spread further.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid activities that could inadvertently spark new fires, such as mowing lawns, and to remain prepared by reviewing evacuation plans and keeping emergency kits ready.
David Acuna, spokesperson for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), expressed concerns about the potential for existing fires, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, to spread beyond containment lines.
“These fires remain our priority, and we urge the public not to engage in any activities that could lead to additional fires,” Acuna said.
The Palisades and Eaton fires, which have been burning since Jan. 7, have destroyed over 14,000 structures. As of Monday, the Palisades Fire was 59% contained, while the Eaton Fire was 87% contained, according to fire officials.
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Evacuation orders for parts of Pacific Palisades were lifted on Monday, though access was restricted to residents with valid identification. Over the weekend, two men impersonating firefighters attempted to enter an evacuation zone but were intercepted by authorities.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass assured residents that the city is prepared for any new outbreaks and warned that strong winds could spread ash from existing fire zones across Southern California. Residents were advised to visit the city’s official website for information on protecting themselves from hazardous air conditions.
Firefighting efforts have been bolstered with additional resources, including water-dropping aircraft, hand crews, and strategically deployed fire engines. Around 1,000 firefighters from the outgoing shift were retained to strengthen response capacity in high-risk areas, fire officials confirmed.
Authorities remain hopeful about the possibility of rain in the coming days but cautioned that gusty winds could return by Thursday, further complicating firefighting efforts.