Firefighters received some respite on Tuesday as the winds were unexpectedly mild, allowing them to make progress in quelling the fires in the Los Angeles area and to quickly extinguish several smaller fires that had sprung up.
Thousands of homes across Los Angeles and beyond have been eviscerated by the multiple infernos that have ravaged the city for more than a week.
Just under 90,000 people in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders, half the number from last week.
The Eaton Fire, just north of Los Angeles, and the Palisades Fire, which ripped through much of the seaside area of Pacific Palisades, started on Jan. 7 under conditions similar to those expected on Wednesday.
The four largest fires around Los Angeles have burnt more than 63 square miles, an area similar in size to Washington, D.C.
Last week’s strong Santa Ana winds fanned the flames quickly and carried fire-sparking embers, in some instances, miles away.
Red Flags or fire weather warnings are issued when temperatures are warm, humidity is low, and strong winds are predicted.
The “particularly dangerous situation” designation is in effect for an area including parts of Los Angeles County and neighboring Ventura County.
More than 80,000 households have been left without electricity as utilities cut power to prevent lines from sparking new blazes and residents have been warned to be prepared to take flight at a moment’s notice.
Police have so far reported about 50 arrests, for looting, flying drones in fire zones, violating curfew, and other crimes.
Authorities have not yet determined what sparked the major fires.
Nine people are also facing felony charges in connection to residential burglaries at evacuated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, Hochman said.
“These crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability,” Hochman said in a statement. “Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to prey on victims of these deadly fires, we will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
In preparation for the potential return of strong winds, California’s fire response has been reinforced with firefighters from other states. Planes have also doused homes and hillsides with fire-retardant chemicals, while crews and fire engines have already deployed to particularly vulnerable spots with dry brush.
Winds are not expected to reach the same fierce speeds seen last week but they could ground firefighting aircraft, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
He urged homeless people to avoid starting fires for warmth and to seek shelter.
