Powerful winds forecast for Wednesday threatened to intensify massive fires still burning around Los Angeles, 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 said, warning of gusts up to 70 miles (110 kilometers) an hour between 3 am (1100 GMT) and 3 pm on Wednesday.
Part of Los Angeles County and much of neighboring Ventura County were in a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” according to the NWS.
“All the plants and vegetation is really dry and ready to burn so… fires can grow pretty fast,” meteorologist Ryan Kittell told news agency 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 24,000 acres (9,700 hectares) of the upmarket Pacific Palisades in ruins and 14,000 acres (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.
Meanwhile, several residents of Palisades have taken the initiative to clear burnt debris from streets and walkways on their own.
AccuWeather has revised its damage cost estimate to between $250 billion and $275 billion, potentially making it amongst the costliest disasters in US history.
Federal officials announced on Tuesday that they have begun investigating the fires’ origins, though they cautioned that the process would take time.
“We know everyone wants answers, and the community deserves answers. ATF will give you those answers, but it will be once we complete a thorough investigation,” said Jose Medina from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
