Santa Ana Winds Intensify Threat to Fire-Stricken Los Angeles

Los Angeles, January 13 – Firefighters in Los Angeles prepared for intensifying winds expected overnight into Tuesday, posing a renewed threat to wildfires that have devastated neighborhoods, claimed over two dozen lives, and scorched an area comparable in size to Washington, D.C.

A red flag warning remained in effect late Monday as the Santa Ana winds gained strength. Gusts reaching 75 mph (120 kph) were forecast to begin around 4 a.m. Tuesday, according to meteorologist David Roth of the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center.

More than 8,500 firefighters continued their battle on the ground and from the air, successfully preventing the spread of two major fires at opposite ends of the city overnight. "This is as challenging as it gets," warned Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

California authorities pre-deployed firefighting teams across Los Angeles and neighboring Southern California counties to address elevated fire risks. The danger was underscored by the sudden emergence of a new fire in Ventura County’s Santa Clara Riverbed. Dubbed the Auto Fire, this fast-moving blaze was being tackled by ground crews and helicopters as it approached a nearby golf course, though no homes were immediately threatened.

The two major wildfires, which erupted last week, were fueled by hurricane-force winds carrying arid air from desert regions. Together, they have destroyed or severely damaged over 12,000 structures, reducing entire neighborhoods to ash and rubble, and leaving behind a haunting, apocalyptic landscape.

As of Monday, more than 92,000 residents in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders—down from a peak of 150,000—with an additional 89,000 under evacuation warnings. The Palisades Fire, which devastated affluent communities on Los Angeles' western edge, has burned 23,713 acres (96 square km) and is 14% contained. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains consumed 14,117 acres (57 square km) and is 33% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

A smaller blaze north of the city, covering 799 acres (3.2 square km), was 95% contained, while three additional fires in the county have been fully controlled in recent days.

In the Eaton Fire zone, 63-year-old Altadena resident Lorraine Bryan reported damage to her home and the destruction of two other dwellings on her property. Her immediate concern is acquiring additional insulin to manage her diabetes amidst the chaos.