Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images News / Getty Images
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Santa Ana winds continued to buffet Southern California Tuesday, again raising wildfire danger as crews continued their efforts Tuesday to fully contain a pair of massive blazes that erupted amid erratic winds earlier this month, killing more than two dozen people and destroying more than 15,000 structures.
Forecasters took the rare step of issuing a "particularly dangerous situation warning" for a large portion of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Sunday afternoon due to damaging Santa Ana winds and very low humidity.
That warning expired at 10 a.m. Tuesday, but a standard red flag warning of critical fire danger will remain in place until 10 p.m. Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel Valley and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors.
Red flag warnings for Catalina Island, the Palos Verdes Hills and Antelope Valley foothills will expire at 2 p.m.
Much of the region will remain under a fire weather watch until Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters said there is a chance more red flag warnings could be issued Wednesday night into Thursday.
"Moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds will continue over much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties today," forecasters said. "These winds will weaken tonight into Wednesday morning, but remain gusty over the mountains and hills. Another round of widespread gusty winds will pick up as early as Wednesday afternoon and peak Wednesday Night into Thursday. Meanwhile, extremely low humidities will persist with minimums under 10 percent over much of the area and poor overnight recoveries."
Officials urged residents to review their evacuation plans and make sure emergency kits are stocked with needed items should they have to evacuate.
Red-flag parking restrictions went into effect at 8 a.m. Monday in the city of Los Angeles and will remain in effect until further notice, aimed at keeping streets clear in high fire danger areas to accommodate people trying to evacuate and fire crews trying to respond to blazes.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory through 10 p.m. Tuesday, with strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region. Officials advised residents to stay indoors, and to wear protective masks and eye-wear upon stepping out.
Containment of the 14,021-acre Eaton Fire grew to 89% Tuesday, aided by water-dropping helicopters, continued extinguishing hot spots in steep, inaccessible canyons near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson before a new wind event moves into the region.
The 23,713-acre Palisades Fire was 63% contained.
Evacuation orders were lifted for dozens of areas in both fires this weekend, though some homes were still without electricity and/or gas service due to safety shutoffs.
A curfew remains in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation areas, with only firefighters, law enforcement and utility workers allowed in those zones.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers were open at UCLA Research Park West, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., and Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., to assist homeowners with applying for aid.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order Tuesday to expedite fire debris removal and install reinforcement barriers and sandbags with rain in the forecast for burn areas as early as this weekend.
President Donald Trump said Saturday he will "probably" travel to California this week to view the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.
Trump referenced the fires during his inauguration speech on Monday.
"From weeks ago, without even a token of defense, they're raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don't have a home any longer. That's interesting.
"We can't let this happen. Everyone is unable to do anything about it. That's going to change," he said, without elaborating.
The causes of the Eaton and Palisades fires remain under investigation. They erupted on Jan. 7 as the area was under a red flag warning for critical fire danger due to a historic wind event that saw gusts of 80 mph.
Together, the fires have killed at least 27 people and destroyed at least 14,362 structures. As of Sunday, more than 8,300 firefighting personnel were engaged in the efforts to fight the blazes.
Emergencies have been declared in the county and the state, and then- President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the state. By the time all the damage in assessed, the fires are expected to constitute the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
Due to red flag warnings in place, several public places were closed until Tuesday, including Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Zoo and the Autry Museum of the American West, inside the Park.