LA braces for 50mph winds set to fan deadly flames that killed 16 as out-of-control blaze heads towards key exit road
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LOS Angeles is now preparing to fight dangerous 50mph winds that could fan the out-of-control flames and potentially spark new blazes. Mandatory evacuation orders are now in place as the deadly winds are set to hit tonight and last over the next 48 hours - making it the "biggest challenge" for firefighters.
![[A view of destroyed homes as the Palisades Fire continues to burn with wildfires causing damage and loss through Los Angeles County]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/image_47e824.png?strip=all&w=620)
California governor Gavin Newsom has said the wildfires will be the worst natural disaster in US history in terms of "cost... scale and scope". Speaking to our US partner network NBC News yesterday, he said the biggest challenge over the next 48 hours is the winds.
"We've got these winds coming back this evening, Sunday night, we've got peak winds on Monday. We're going to see 50mph gusts.". He added there could be "flare-ups in new places". There are fears that these winds could now move the fire - or create new ones due to flying embers - toward some of the city’s most famous landmarks.
![[Firefighters watch as water is dropped on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/image_82164d.png?strip=all&w=620)
This includes the iconic $1.3billion Paul Getty Museum and the University of California. High winds have caused the Palisades Fire in Southern California to spread towards the east. The Palisades fire is the biggest of all and has so far burned down 22,660 acres of land destroying more than 5,316 structures.
![[An air tanker drops fire retardant at the Palisades Fire]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/image_057eb2.png?strip=all&w=620)
Firefighters have only been able to contain 11 per cent of the fire, according to the LA Fire Department. The Eaton fire has destroyed over 15,000 and 7,000 structures with 15 per cent contained. Hurst has also spread to around 1,000 acres. Meanwhile, Kenneth, Lidia and Archer fires have been 100 per cent contained by the fire department.
