Fresh warnings were issued as Santa Ana winds lashed Los Angeles and surrounding areas in California.
Two massive fires have broken out since last week, killing at least 25 people.
By Tuesday evening, the strength of the winds had diminished, but their speed was expected to increase overnight. Forecasters said the winds are expected to create extreme fire danger.
The National Weather Service said, “Be aware of your surroundings. Be prepared to evacuate. Avoid anything that could ignite.”
LA and Ventura counties are at risk
Red flag warnings are in effect until Wednesday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties and parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, the agency said.
Los Angeles and Ventura counties were in a “particularly dangerous situation”.
“We have helicopters ready to drop water on any new fires,” said Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Andrew Dowd.
Canada, Mexico and other states provide fire extinguishers
Exhausted firefighters have received backup from other states as well as Canada and Mexico.
L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marone said the winds were not as strong as last week, but could potentially require ground firefighters.
He said if winds reached 70 mph (112 kph), the fire would be difficult to control. He also warned homeless people against lighting fires to protect themselves from the cold.
Electricity of 90,000 houses was cut off
Power to about 90,000 homes was cut off to prevent power lines from starting new fires. Hundreds of people have been told to evacuate, and about 88,000 people are currently displaced, half the number from last week.
Many residents have been asked to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
“We all left with the clothes on our backs. We thought we’d be able to come back in the morning. We didn’t think the fire was going to do what it did,” Sonja Jackson said. Los Angeles Times.
Police said about 50 people were arrested for theft, curfew violation, flying drones in fire areas and other crimes. Some were arrested for setting small fires.
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday also asked debris removal teams to be prepared due to the winter storm and the threat of landslides.
As the disaster has worsened, loss estimates by insurers have increased. AccuWeather estimated the total cost to be between $250 and $275 billion (between €242 and €267 billion).
There is an ongoing drought in the Los Angeles area and nearly a dozen wildfires have started this year. Hollywood’s awards season has been put on hold due to the crisis.
tg/jsi (AFP, AP, Reuters)
