LOS ANGELES—Southern California was bracing for a dangerous wind event early this week, as firefighters made more progress Sunday on the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires.
The latest warning is in effect from noon Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday for the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley including Calabasas and Agoura Hills, Malibu coast, western Santa Monica Mountains recreation area, the Interstate 5 corridor, San Gabriel Valley, and north of the 210 Freeway including Altadena and Glendora.
Additionally, Los Angeles County will be under a red flag warning for extreme fire danger from 8 a.m. Monday morning through 2 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasters say a “moderate to strong” Santa Ana wind event is expected, with isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph expected in most wind-prone mountain locations, such as the San Gabriel, western Santa Monica, and Santa Susana Mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
Officials are urging residents to review their evacuation plans and make sure emergency kits are stocked with needed items should they have to evacuate.
The city of Los Angeles declared that red-flag parking restrictions would go into effect at 8 a.m. Monday and remain in effect until further notice.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a windblown dust and ash advisory through 10 p.m. Tuesday, with strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region. Officials advised residents to stay indoors, and to wear protective masks and eye-wear upon stepping out.
Containment of the 14,000-acre Eaton Fire, northeast of Los Angeles, grew to 81 percent overnight, up from 73 percent, as firefighters, aided by water-dropping helicopters, continued extinguishing hot spots in steep, inaccessible canyons near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe, and Mt. Wilson before a new wind event moves into the region.
The 23,700-acre Palisades Fire, on the west side of Los Angeles, was 52 percent contained, up overnight from 49 percent.
Evacuation orders were lifted for dozens of areas in both fires this weekend, though some homes were still without electricity or gas service due to safety shutoffs.
A curfew remains in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation areas, with only firefighters, law enforcement and utility workers allowed in those zones.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers were open at UCLA and Pasadena City College to assist homeowners with applying for aid.
President-elect Donald Trump said at a rally on Sunday that he will travel to California on Friday to view the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.
“I was going to go, actually yesterday, but I thought it would be better if I went as president. It’s a little bit more appropriate, I suspect,” he told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Saturday.
Trump is set to be inaugurated on Monday.
The cause of the Eaton and Palisades fires remain under investigation. They erupted on Jan. 7 as the area was under a red flag warning for critical fire danger due to a historic wind event that saw gusts of 80 mph.
Together, the fires have killed at least 27 people and destroyed more than 14,300 structures. As of Sunday, more than 8,300 firefighting personnel were engaged in the efforts to fight the blazes.
Emergencies have been declared in the county and the state, and President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the state. By the time all the damage in assessed, the fires are expected to constitute the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
