Day 12 of the Los Angeles wildfires brings important news. The fires are expected to worsen over the weekend. Strong Santa Ana winds are forecasted to increase, making the situation more dangerous. Authorities warn residents to stay alert as thousands of acres have already burned.
Firefighters are working hard to control the flames. They face tough conditions as the fires continue to threaten the region. The situation remains critical, and efforts to contain the fires are challenging.
Residents are urged to follow safety instructions and stay informed about the latest updates. The ongoing fires pose a serious threat, and staying aware is crucial for safety.
Forecasters warn that vast parts of Southern California are once again under wildfire risks as strong winds and dry conditions return this weekend through Wednesday.
Firefighters made some progress against ongoing fires overnight to Saturday morning, thanks to a brief reprieve from gusty winds. But wind speeds are picking up and could reach up to 50 mph, with some mountains and foothill areas seeing 75 mph winds over the next few days, according to the National Weather Service.
A red flag warning, indicating heightened wildfire conditions, has been issued for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The fire weather conditions, fueled by moderate to strong Santa Ana winds, are likely to continue through Wednesday.
As fires rage on, LA County officials announced Saturday that they have changed the county’s alert and notification system to partner with the state’s alert center while they investigate the root cause behind the false evacuation alerts sent to more than 10 million Angelenos earlier this week.
What to know?
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will lead an investigation into what caused the fires and if the fires are connected to one another.
- The University of California, Los Angeles, will hold remote classes for undergraduate and graduate courses through the end of next week, the chancellor announced. Employees who can work remotely are being asked to do so.
- Search and rescue efforts for missing persons related to the fires began Saturday morning. Authorities are investigating at least 16 deaths from the fires.
- More than 38,000 acres have been burned in total in the blazes and over 12,000 structures destroyed due to the wildfires, according to Cal Fire. A range of properties were destroyed, including homes, storefronts, sheds and cars. Local officials expect hundreds more ruined properties to be discovered in the coming days.
- Local water districts have issued several drinking water advisories. After the Eaton fire damaged reservoirs and pump stations, a “do not drink” order was issued for most of northern Pasadena. Residents should not use the tap water for drinking, cooking, hand washing or bathing until they’ve gotten a release from the water district, the city said on Saturday night. Meanwhile, a boil water notice and do not drink advisory has been issued for the Pacific Palisades and nearby communities “north of San Vicente Blvd.”