Los Angeles fires: Incoming Santa Ana winds raise concerns
OAKLAND, Calif. - Fire and law enforcement officials in Los Angeles County held a series of press conferences on Monday.
At one of them, authorities announced that nine people were charged with looting in connection with the Palisades and Eaton fires. Another suspect was charged with arson in Azusa, which is not related to the major wildfires.
Officials said they don't believe the Eaton Fire will spread beyond its current footprint and that they are attacking hotspots. The firefight coincides with a Red Flag Warning that remains in effect until Wednesday evening.
Firefighters used favorable weather early in the day to attack infernos still destroying large sections of Los Angeles County. However, they worried that advances made in fighting both the Eaton and Palisades fires could be undone by another severe wind event. Forecasters with the National Weather Service are classifying it as a PDS — a Particularly Dangerous Situation.
What are the Santa Ana winds that have driven LA fires?
While the Santa Ana winds are mostly dry and warm, these wind events can also intensify and become dangerous.
"From today through Wednesday, we are expecting moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds across the fire, and with that, it's gonna bring continued critical fire weather to the area," said Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Chief Anthony Marrone of the Los Angeles County Fire Department added, "Please be assured that all fire departments and all law enforcement agencies in the area will be prepared. The anticipated winds, combined with low humidities and low fuel moisture, will keep the fire threat in all of Los Angeles County critical."
Featured
California fires map: Los Angeles evacuation orders, warnings
Here's the latest on evacuations and fire maps in the Los Angeles area.
Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said its investigators were in Southern California and are investigating all the fires to determine if arson is a possibility.
Additionally, FBI agents said they recovered parts from a drone that crashed into a Canadian firefighting plane the other day and are building their case.
Jesse Gary is a reporter based in the South Bay bureau. Follow him on the Instagram platform, @jessegontv and on Facebook, @JesseKTVU.