High winds disrupted efforts to control the rapidly spreading Palisades Fire on Tuesday night, grounding firefighting aircraft and complicating containment strategies.
Key Developments:
- Aircraft Grounded: Strong winds forced the suspension of air operations around 8 p.m. Officials noted that wind gusts rendered water drops ineffective as the dispersal neutralized their impact of Palisades Fire.
- Rapid Spread: Igniting at 10:30 a.m. near Piedra Morada Drive, the fire burned through 2,921 acres by evening. Over 30,000 residents were ordered to evacuate.
- Dangerous Weather: Extreme winds and low humidity are expected to worsen conditions. Officials warned that more fires could ignite as the windstorm intensifies through early Wednesday morning.
Widespread Impact on Palisades Fire:
- New Fires:
- In Pasadena, a fire near the foothills grew to 20 acres by 6:30 p.m.
- Near Eaton Canyon, the Eaton Fire burned 400 acres by 8:14 p.m., prompting further evacuations. Aircraft support was suspended there as well.
- Threatened Landmarks: Crews worked to protect the Getty Villa and Palisades Charter High School. A notable Malibu seafood restaurant, the Reel Inn, was reported as destroyed.
Expert Insights:
- Weather Challenges: UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain emphasized that the strongest winds were still approaching late Tuesday, with fire risk extending well beyond the current events.
- Fuel for Fire: Dry vegetation, exacerbated by a hot summer and lack of seasonal rainfall, has created conditions ripe for large-scale wildfires.
- Climate Change: While wind patterns have not definitively been linked to climate change, prolonged periods of dry conditions overlapping with extreme winds increase fire risks during what traditionally would be wet seasons.
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Widespread Fire Danger
The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The alert, in effect until Thursday, predicts the most severe wind event since 2011. Officials caution that even after winds subside, Palisades Fire conditions will remain critical due to extremely dry vegetation.
A Year-Round Problem
California Governor Gavin Newsom remarked that wildfires are no longer seasonal:
“There’s no fire season. It’s fire year.”
Continued Monitoring
Residents are advised to stay alert for updates as the situation remains dynamic. State resources are strategically deployed in high-risk areas to prevent and combat any new outbreaks.
Further updates are expected as conditions evolve.
