The death toll in the Los Angeles fires has risen to 25 as 84,800 people are placed under a new evacuation alert and warned to brace for more dangerous fire weather.
Authorities warned anybody in the vicinity of the blazes to be prepared to flee at a moment’s notice, amid concerns that increasing winds will whip up new fires and fan the flames of those already burning.
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service said ‘we are not out of the woods yet’ despite winds not reaching the predicted intensity.
‘The winds underperformed today, but one more enhancement could happen tonight-tomorrow,’ NWS said in a statement.
This round of Santa Ana winds was not expected to be as strong as last week, but they could carry fire-sparking embers for miles and stoke new outbreaks in a decimated region where at least 25 people have already been killed.
The death toll is expected to continue to rise as authorities gain access to the smoldering sites ravaged by the fires.
The coroner initially said two new bodies were discovered on Tuesday – one in the vicinity of the Palisades fire which tore through the celebrity enclaves of Malibu and the Pacific Palisades – and another near the Eaton fire in Pasadena and Altadena.
But the death toll only went up by one after the coroner revealed the remains from the Eaton fire were not human.
Authorities warned anybody in the vicinity of the blazes to be prepared to flee at a moment’s notice, amid concerns that increasing winds will whip up new fires and fan the flames of those already burning
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service said ‘we are not out of the woods yet’ despite winds not reaching the predicted intensity
Meteorologist Ryan Kittell warned both fires – which are still burning and not yet completely contained – could flare up between Tuesday night and Wednesday, and new ignitions could quickly turn problematic.
Tuesday’s forecast included a rare warning that winds, combined with severely dry conditions created a ‘particularly dangerous situation,’ the National Weather service said.
The forecast was later adjusted to say gusts were expected to pick up strength early Wednesday.
About 88,000 weary and anxious residents remain under evacuation orders Tuesday morning because of the fires.
Another 84,800 have been warned that they might be ordered to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna encouraged people to consider leaving when they get a warning without waiting for an order.
Luna pointed out that his deputies had to rescue many people who waited until the last minute when evacuations were ordered last week.
Officials insist they are poised for any renewed threats, particularly around the existing burn sites, after hydrants ran dry in the initial firefight.
The death toll is expected to continue to rise as authorities gain access to the smoldering sites ravaged by the fires
Some 12,300 structures have been wiped out in the carnage
‘Please be assured that the Los Angeles County region is prepared,’ fire chief Anthony Marrone said.
‘We have checked the water system in the Eaton fire area, and it is operational, meaning that we have water and we have pressure.’
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 LA 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.’
