LA officials expect weather conditions ‘returning to normal’ this evening
The Los Angeles county fire chief, Anthony Marrone, said at a news conference on Thursday that the Eaton fire remains at 14,117 acres with 55% containment. Over 7,000 structures are damaged or destroyed, he said.
“A limited red flag warning remains in effect through 3pm today for the Santa Susana mountains, the Western San Gabriel mountains and the I-5 corridor,” Marrone said. “We look forward to the weather conditions returning to normal this evening.”
“However, a moderate red flag event is predicted for this coming Monday and Tuesday,” he added.
Key events
As officials answered reporters’ questions, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, said that it is still unsafe for people to return to their homes, even for those who want to view the conditions of their houses for even 15 minutes.
“We just don’t want anybody to come in and for it to not be safe,” he said.
Sheriff Robert Luna said that it could take at least another week before people could head back to their homes. “But I believe it’s going to be longer than that,” he added.
The press conference concluded at around 9am.
“A warning to all the residents, no matter where you live in LA county, if you have slopes behind your homes, or if you’re located on top of the slope, these slopes have become fragile,” said Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles county public works director.
“The soil that is supporting your home has all become fragile and damaged.”
LA county supervisor Lindsey Horvath said that “price gouging continues to be an issue that is top of mind and a painful experience for those who are seeking to recover in this difficult time”.
She said that the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs has a price gouging task force that includes the LA district attorney, the county council’s consumer protection division, the LA city attorney, and the Santa Monica city attorney.
“I spoke again with our California attorney general, who is here in Los Angeles today, and he is pursuing vigorous investigations, which have already begun.”
Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, spent most of her time on the microphone listing some of the county’s economic and social resources and thanking firefighters, police officers, and organizations helping families affected by the LA-area fires.
“I am hoping that as the winds subside, that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel, and that individuals can get their life back on track to recover and to rebuild,” Bass said.
Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles county public works director, said that in the event of major rain, “we do expect that all of the street areas and all the communities will be impacted by debris flows that could be hazardous to human health.”
He warned that “we do expect the window to open for rain in the later part of this month.”
“We are already pre-deploying labor forces into the area to make sure that the flood control system is ready.”
Sheriff Robert Luna said that 31 people remain missing, 24 in the Eaton area, which represents an increase of four from Wednesday.
Seven people are missing in the Palisades area as of Thursday, which is an increase of one from the day before.
A total of 47 people have been arrested since the fires started
Robert Luna, sheriff of Los Angeles county, said officials have arrested 36 people at the Eaton incident and 11 at Palisades.
Kristin Crowley, fire chief of the Los Angeles fire department, said the Palisades fire is 23,713 acres with 22% containment.
“Favorable weather conditions assisted firefighters in increasing the containment and extinguishment,” Crowley said. “The ongoing search and rescue mission continues to limit utility agencies’ abilities to repair infrastructure.”
LA officials expect weather conditions ‘returning to normal’ this evening
The Los Angeles county fire chief, Anthony Marrone, said at a news conference on Thursday that the Eaton fire remains at 14,117 acres with 55% containment. Over 7,000 structures are damaged or destroyed, he said.
“A limited red flag warning remains in effect through 3pm today for the Santa Susana mountains, the Western San Gabriel mountains and the I-5 corridor,” Marrone said. “We look forward to the weather conditions returning to normal this evening.”
“However, a moderate red flag event is predicted for this coming Monday and Tuesday,” he added.
Weather eases up in LA as firefighters report gains against massive wildfires
Windy, flame-fanning weather in southern California has eased up as firefighters report significant gains against the two massive wildfires burning around Los Angeles, the Associated Press reports.
A “particularly dangerous situation” red-flag warning has expired as of Wednesday. But dry conditions and gusty winds are expected to linger into Thursday, mostly in the mountains.
Improved conditions expected later this week should help fire crews and allow residents to return to their neighborhoods.
The fires have killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
