Desk Report: The Palisades fire continues to wreak havoc in Southern California, with fierce winds intensifying the blaze and forcing more than 30,000 residents to flee their homes. The fire, which ignited at Piedra Morada Drive at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, had scorched 2,921 acres by evening, and conditions are expected to worsen overnight.
Forecasters predict wind speeds will peak between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday, complicating firefighting efforts on the ground and from the air. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain warned that the worst is yet to come, with stronger winds and lower humidity expected to fuel the flames further.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone noted that aerial firefighting efforts might be grounded if wind speeds exceed 30 to 40 mph, as such conditions render water and retardant drops ineffective. Governor Gavin Newsom, who visited the fire site, acknowledged residents’ frustrations but stressed that extreme winds make airborne operations largely unproductive.
The dangerous combination of high winds and critically low humidity has created a perilous environment for new fires to ignite. By Tuesday evening, this prediction had already materialized. A blaze in the foothills of Pasadena quickly grew to 20 acres, while another near Eaton Canyon in Altadena expanded to 400 acres, prompting evacuations.
The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” warning for extreme fire danger across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. This warning, the first of its kind since 2011, is set to remain in effect through Thursday.
Firefighters have been racing to protect iconic landmarks, including the Getty Villa and Palisades Charter High School. However, some treasured sites, such as Malibu’s Reel Inn seafood restaurant, have already been lost to the flames.
Experts are also pointing to climate change as a key factor in creating the conditions for such relentless fires. Alex Hall, director of UCLA’s Center for Climate Science, explained that a hot summer followed by minimal rainfall has left the region’s vegetation dangerously dry and abundant with fuel.
Governor Newsom echoed these concerns, emphasizing that wildfires are no longer confined to a specific season in California. “November, December, January—there’s no fire season anymore. It’s year-round,” he said.
As firefighters face a grueling night ahead, Southern California braces for what could be one of its most challenging wildfire events in years. Source: Los Angeles Times
BM/Sajeeb