Los Angeles’ wildfires are still burning two weeks after they sparked — and the City of Angels could be in for deeper trouble as the hurricane-force winds that first fanned the flames return to the region.
The city was placed under yet another red flag warning Monday as the Santa Ana winds picked up their ferocious speeds and continued into Tuesday, with gusts on the dry mountains blowing between 80 and 100 mph.
LA’s red flag warning — issued when conditions are particularly suited to cause wildfires — are in place until Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Fire Department has advised.
The winds have the potential to upset the progress firefighters have made containing the fires, as they could both help the fire spread and send burning embers flying miles through the air to spark up in new areas.
Some new blazes have already sparked up across the landscape, but were quickly extinguished.
Firefighters are finally getting the upper hand on the main fires, with the Palisades Fire finally surpassing 50% containment and reaching 63% as of Tuesday afternoon. It has burned across 23,713 acres so far, and hasn’t grown for about a week.
The Eaton Fire, on the northeast side of the city, is now about 89% contained after having burned 14,021 acres.
And the Hurst Fire, which burned on the north side of of LA, has been put out.
But south of the city towards San Diego, high winds and dry conditions have kicked up two new wildfires Monday that are burning nearly 100 acres apiece.
The Lilac Fire, near Bonsall and Pala Mesa, has scorched 80 acres and is about 30% contained.
Nearby, the Pala Fire burned over 17 acres, but has since been knocked down.
In the thick of San Diego, the Friars Fire sparked up Tuesday and began spreading across several acres, and quickly began advancing towards the Fashion Valley Mall, Fox News reported.
Each of those blazes have sparked evacuation orders.
As the fires in Los Angeles come under containment, the city is now cautioning that the ashen remains left behind could begin posing risks to residents.
An advisory about dust and ash filling the air by the increased Santa Ana winds has been issued across LA, with officials cautioning residents near burn sites to wear masks and goggles when going outside, ABC 7 reported.
Rains are also forecast for the weekend — a much-needed reprieve for the parched region, but one which could further imperil the area with runoff bringing hazardous debris from burn sites to the surrounding area.
Landslides — which have already begun in some areas — are another danger in the hilly landscapes that have become destabilized by the fires or saturated with water from firefighting efforts.
LA Mayor Karen Bass issued orders Tuesday to expedite debris clearing across burn sites, and to reinforce areas with sandbags while shoring up landscape vulnerable to collapse.
The rain is expected to arrive Saturday and continue through Monday, with the debris and slide dangers remaining throughout.