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California fire: Fire risk, strong winds continue with potential for rain

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California fire: Fire risk, strong winds continue with potential for rain
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Los Angeles: Parched Southern California was expected to see more severe winds on Wednesday, but could receive much-needed rain this weekend, reducing the likelihood of another wave of deadly wildfires, although even a tiny amount of precipitation could generate new difficulties such as toxic ash flow.

Los Angeles officials were bracing for that possibility even as a small number of residents were permitted to return to the ravaged Pacific Palisades and Altadena regions, and firemen rapidly extinguished little fires that erupted.

Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order Tuesday to speed up cleanup efforts in burn zones and reduce the environmental effect of fire-related pollutants. She directed personnel to clear vegetation, shore up hillsides, erect barriers, and fortify roadways ahead of potential weekend rain, which might cause mud and debris floods, AP reported.

“This is to prevent additional damage to areas already ravaged by fire and also to protect our watershed, beaches and ocean from toxic runoff,” Bass said during a news conference.

Supervisors in Los Angeles County also authorised an emergency motion to establish flood control infrastructure, as well as speed and remove sediment from fire-damaged regions.

According to Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Los Angeles office, Southern California will see a 60% to 80% probability of a small amount of rain beginning Saturday, with most regions receiving no more than a third of an inch (0.8 cm).

However, localised thunderstorms could drop up to an inch (2.5 centimetres), which would be a worst-case scenario if enough to cause debris flow on charred hillsides.

“But even if the rain doesn't materialise this time, it could be a good practice run for those communities because this will be a threat that they'll have to deal with for months or years,” Kittell said.

In 2018, Montecito, a community 80 miles (130 km) up the coast from Los Angeles, was wrecked by mudslides caused by a downpour on steep slopes scorched naked by a massive wildfire. Twenty-three people were killed, and hundreds of houses were damaged.

Winds eased slightly Tuesday afternoon after reaching 60 mph (96 kph) in numerous spots, but gusty conditions were anticipated to return over the next two days. Red flag warnings for severe fire risk were extended until 8 p.m. Thursday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

“Our concern is the next fire, the next spark that causes the next wildfire,” said David Acuna, a spokesman with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

Another concern was that two big fires, the Palisades and Eaton fires, could breach their containment lines while firefighters continue to monitor for hotspots. Fire engines and water-dropping planes enabled personnel to quickly extinguish numerous small fires that erupted in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, according to officials.

Cal Fire revoked evacuation orders for the Friars Fire, which broke out near a mall in San Diego, and partially for the Lilac Fire, which burned through dry brush after threatening several properties. Another small fire, the Pala Fire, was fully contained by nearby crew members.

Southern California Edison turned off power to more than 60,000 customers in five counties to prevent new fires from being started by winds collapsing electrical equipment; some were later restored. The company was mulling precautionary shutoffs for 160,000 customers.

Authorities advised citizens to prepare emergency kits, review evacuation plans, keep an eye out for flames and promptly report them. During the most recent Santa Ana wind episode, Bass also cautioned that winds might carry ash and suggested that residents of Los Angeles check out the city's website to find out how to safeguard themselves from toxic air.

As firefighters continued to fight the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have destroyed over 14,000 houses and claimed at least 28 lives since that started on January 7, they encountered low humidity, bone-dry vegetation, and strong winds. The Eaton Fire was 89% contained, while the Palisades Fire was 63%.

The causes of the fires are being investigated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, but no results have been made public. People who lost their houses in the Eaton Fire have filed a number of lawsuits, claiming that Southern California Edison equipment was the cause of the fire.

The company was ordered to provide data from circuits in the vicinity of the fire's origin by a judge overseeing one of the lawsuits on Tuesday. President Donald Trump has announced that he will visit Los Angeles on Friday, after criticising the response to the wildfires in his inauguration address on Monday.

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TAGS:WildfiresToxic airLos Angeles fireCalifornia wildfires
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