Firefighters in Los Angeles are preparing to deal with the possibility of dangerous strong winds returning, which could exacerbate the current wildfire situation.
Wildfires in California, USA, are at risk of continuing to spread. Firefighters in Los Angeles are preparing to respond to the return of dangerous strong winds, which could worsen the current wildfires that have already claimed 27 lives.
Local authorities report that they have contained over 50% of the area of the two largest wildfires, which have burned nearly 16,187 hectares, flattening entire neighborhoods in the second-largest city in the U.S.
However, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that strong winds with gusts up to 130 km/h, along with very low humidity, will create dangerous weather conditions, and the wildfire risk will rise to a high alert level starting January 20. California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that this is the fourth extreme wind event in the past three months, whereas four years ago, the state only experienced two strong wind events.
Governor Newsom mentioned that authorities have mobilized 35 fire trucks, along with firefighting personnel, helicopters, and bulldozers to extinguish new wildfires.
As the wildfires are brought under control, some areas in Los Angeles have lifted evacuation orders, while also accelerating search and rescue efforts, as well as efforts to relocate residents. However, local authorities are also facing challenges with rampant looting, with several incidents of individuals disguising themselves as firefighters to break into homes and steal belongings.
Governor Newsom has highlighted the harsh conditions that the state of California is facing, with an increasing frequency of wildfires and extreme weather events related to climate change.
In addition to the challenges posed by wildfires, California is also facing the threat of future flooding due to heavy rains that could wash away hillsides that have been devastated by fires. Accordingly, California officials are warning that the risk of flooding will arise within 1 to 2 weeks following the wildfires. To prepare for this, 2,500 National Guard troops have been mobilized to place sandbags to prevent landslides.