LA High Winds Intensify WildFires, Death Toll Rises to 24

Winds are expected to pick up by mid-morning in Los Angeles early Tuesday, and “critical WildFire weather conditions will continue,” forecasters said, as firefighters battle the deadly blaze. are fighting for in which at least 24 people have been killed. Reversing winds could cause “explosive fire growth,” according to the National Weather Service.

Officials have issued a “Specially Hazardous Situation Red Flag Warning” for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties from 4 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday. On Wednesday, warning that “this setup is as bad as it gets.”

Rich Thompson, an incident meteorologist for the Palisades Fire — the largest of the three WildFire still burning in Los Angeles County — said strong Santa Ana winds, along with low humidity and tinder-dry brush, meant that conditions ” are delicate”. Firefighters are trying to keep the blaze from reaching Brentwood, home of the Getty Center, and Interstate 405. The cause of the wildfire — predicted to be the costliest fire in U.S. history — is unknown.

The latest on the active Los Angeles wildfires

Here’s what to know about the four active fires in Los Angeles as of early Tuesday. Spread and containment data are from Cal Fire. The death toll has risen to 24, according to the Los Angeles medical examiner’s office.

Palisades Fire (14 percent contained):

The fire has burned more than 23,700 acres in and around Pacific Palisades and killed at least eight people. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristen Crowley said the fire has destroyed more than 5,300 structures since it broke out last week. Firefighters are trying to keep the fire from reaching Brentwood, where the Getty Center is, and Interstate 405.

Eaton Fire (33 percent contained):

The fire on the city’s east side, near Pasadena, has killed at least 16 people — making it one of the deadliest fires in California history — and burned 14,117 acres. More than 7,000 structures were damaged or destroyed by the fire, officials said.

Hurst Fire (97 percent contained):

In the north, near San Fernando, the fire has covered 799 acres.

Auto Fire (0 percent contained):

A new brush fire broke out in the lower reaches of the river in Ventura County on Monday evening. The fire spread to 56 acres. Although containment remains at 0 percent, Ventura County firefighters said they were able to stop the fire’s progress.