A growing force of firefighters arrived in the Los Angeles area on Monday, preparing for another round of fierce winds expected to spark new wildfires and potentially undo recent progress in battling devastating blazes. These wildfires have already claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed thousands of homes.
Reinforcements, including water trucks and planes loaded with fire retardants, came from across the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. The National Weather Service warned that conditions over the next few days could turn “particularly dangerous,” with gusts in the mountains expected to reach up to 65 mph (105 kph). Dennis Burns, a fire behavior analyst, cautioned at a community meeting on Sunday night that Tuesday would likely be the most perilous day.
Sunday’s relative lull allowed some evacuees to return home, but the respite also brought grim news: the death toll rose late Sunday after a report from the Los Angeles County medical examiner. Authorities revealed that 16 people remained missing, with the number expected to climb further as search efforts continued.
In a chilling reminder of the destruction, a car drove past homes and vehicles reduced to ash by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates on Sunday, January 12, 2025. The area has become emblematic of the destruction caused by the Santa Ana winds, which have been a key factor in turning last week’s small wildfires into raging infernos.
The fires have ravaged areas around Los Angeles, a region that has seen no significant rainfall for over eight months. In less than a week, four major wildfires have consumed more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), an area roughly three times the size of Manhattan.
The Eaton Fire near Pasadena and the Palisades Fire along the Pacific Coast have been particularly destructive. While firefighters have made significant strides in containing these blazes, with the Eaton Fire now about one-third contained, the forecasted high winds could exacerbate the situation. These conditions may lead to rapid fire growth and spark new blazes in areas that have so far remained unscathed, creating additional challenges for already exhausted crews.
“We are prepared for the upcoming wind event,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. He confirmed the arrival of 70 additional water trucks to bolster efforts against flames that could spread quickly with the renewed gusts. Fire retardants dropped by aircraft are being deployed to create barriers along vulnerable hillsides, offering some hope of limiting the damage.
Meanwhile, residents have taken matters into their own hands in some areas. In Topanga Canyon, a community of artists, musicians, and friends joined forces to prevent fires from spreading by shutting off gas lines and propane tanks. Their quick actions may have saved several homes, according to Derek Mabra, who witnessed the devastation firsthand.
“We helped hopefully save a couple of houses, and we put out a couple of spot fires,” Mabra said as he drove along the coast, surveying the destruction. “It’s complete and total devastation.”
As the battle against these wildfires continues, firefighters and residents alike brace for the dangerous winds ahead, knowing that their efforts over the coming days could be the difference between further catastrophe and eventual recovery.