California wildfires: easing of extreme winds expected to strengthen efforts to put out blazes
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National Weather Service says ‘wind siege has finally ended’ and forecasts higher humidity but warns high winds could return next week. The extreme winds behind the disastrous fires in Los Angeles are forecasted to calm the rest of the week into the weekend, making it easier for firefighters to further efforts to put out the massive Palisades and Eaton fires that have been ablaze for over a week.
The National Weather Service said on Thursday that the “nine-day wind siege has finally ended” and the weekend will bring a “significant cooling trend” with higher humidity in the region. But it warned that high winds could pick up again early next week.
As of Thursday morning, the two largest fires in Los Angeles were still under 50% contained. The Palisades fire is 21% contained after burning 23,700 acres while the Eaton fire is 45% contained after burning 14,100 acres. Even after forecasts warned of a “particularly dangerous situation” wind event Wednesday, firefighters have been able to keep the fires within their footprints over the last few days.
Both fires have proven to be deadly and destructive. Officials said at least 25 people have died from the fires, while a total of 12,000 structures have been destroyed. Estimates put the total cost of the fire’s damage at around $250bn, making it the costliest fire in US history.
Over 80,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders, with many anxious to get back to their homes. But officials said it will take time for officials to conduct inspections and remove hazardous debris from neighborhoods. As of Wednesday afternoon, inspections of both the Palisades and Eaton fires were only halfway done, with no timeline given to residents on when they will be completed, according to the Los Angeles Times.
