Palisades and Eaton fires start coming under control as fierce winds ease but forecasters predict another red flag warning for Monday
- Full report: 11 killed and 10,000 structures destroyed as blazes continue
- After the fire, the insurance battles: new ordeals to come
- Fleeing the LA fires alone on a wheelchair: ‘I had to take my chances’
- Californians: have you been affected by the wildfires?
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the California wildfires that have devastated six neighborhoods of Los Angeles county, killed at least 11 people and damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 structures.
Firefighters finally started gaining control over two major wildfires on the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles on Friday as fierce winds that supercharged the fires for days eased.
The Palisades fire, at 21,317 acres and 8% containment
The Eaton fire, at 13,690 acres and 3% containment
The Kenneth fire, at 1,052 acres and 50% containment
The Hurst fire, at 771 acres and 37% containment
The Lidia fire, at 395 acres and 98% containment
The Archer fire, at 19 acres and 0% containment
Six deaths have been confirmed in the Eaton fire and five in the Palisades. As family members have been alerted to the loss of their loved ones, six of the victims have been publicly identified. Law enforcement officials expect the death toll to rise once weather and fire conditions allow cadaver dogs and detectives into the burn zones.
Conditions in the Los Angeles area were forecast to improve through the weekend, with sustained winds slowing to about 20mph (32km/h), gusting between 35-50mph, according to the National Weather Service, a respite from recent wind gusts of 80mph. “It’s not as gusty, so that should help firefighters,” NWS meteorologist Allison Santorelli said, adding that conditions were still critical with low humidity and dry vegetation.
Forecasters predicted another red flag warning would be issued for Monday.
Fire chief Kristin Crowley criticised city officials over water supply issues and budget cuts that she says hindered her department’s ability to fight the Palisades fire. The water supply has become a focal point, with California governor Gavin Newsom calling for an investigation into the shortage.
Newsom has invited Donald Trump to visit the state and tour the the LA wildfires’ devastation. Trump visited the state six years ago in the wake of the Camp fire, the most destructive fire in California history, which hit the town of Paradise.
The state of California issued a one-year moratorium preventing insurance companies from canceling or refusing to renew home policies in zip codes impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Fire agencies are investigating whether Southern California Edison’s utility infrastructure sparked a brush fire that is still burning in a Los Angeles suburb, SCE said on Friday, adding no determination has been made. SCE, a unit of US utility Edison International, said in a filing to its regulators that a downed conductor was discovered at a tower associated with its Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit. “SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire,” it said.
Continue reading… The Guardian Read More Palisades and Eaton fires start coming under control as fierce winds ease but forecasters predict another red flag warning for MondayFull report: 11 killed and 10,000 structures destroyed as blazes continueAfter the fire, the insurance battles: new ordeals to comeFleeing the LA fires alone on a wheelchair: ‘I had to take my chances’Californians: have you been affected by the wildfires?Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the California wildfires that have devastated six neighborhoods of Los Angeles county, killed at least 11 people and damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 structures.Firefighters finally started gaining control over two major wildfires on the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles on Friday as fierce winds that supercharged the fires for days eased.The Palisades fire, at 21,317 acres and 8% containmentThe Eaton fire, at 13,690 acres and 3% containmentThe Kenneth fire, at 1,052 acres and 50% containmentThe Hurst fire, at 771 acres and 37% containmentThe Lidia fire, at 395 acres and 98% containmentThe Archer fire, at 19 acres and 0% containmentSix deaths have been confirmed in the Eaton fire and five in the Palisades. As family members have been alerted to the loss of their loved ones, six of the victims have been publicly identified. Law enforcement officials expect the death toll to rise once weather and fire conditions allow cadaver dogs and detectives into the burn zones.Conditions in the Los Angeles area were forecast to improve through the weekend, with sustained winds slowing to about 20mph (32km/h), gusting between 35-50mph, according to the National Weather Service, a respite from recent wind gusts of 80mph. “It’s not as gusty, so that should help firefighters,” NWS meteorologist Allison Santorelli said, adding that conditions were still critical with low humidity and dry vegetation.Forecasters predicted another red flag warning would be issued for Monday.Fire chief Kristin Crowley criticised city officials over water supply issues and budget cuts that she says hindered her department’s ability to fight the Palisades fire. The water supply has become a focal point, with California governor Gavin Newsom calling for an investigation into the shortage.Newsom has invited Donald Trump to visit the state and tour the the LA wildfires’ devastation. Trump visited the state six years ago in the wake of the Camp fire, the most destructive fire in California history, which hit the town of Paradise.The state of California issued a one-year moratorium preventing insurance companies from canceling or refusing to renew home policies in zip codes impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.Fire agencies are investigating whether Southern California Edison’s utility infrastructure sparked a brush fire that is still burning in a Los Angeles suburb, SCE said on Friday, adding no determination has been made. SCE, a unit of US utility Edison International, said in a filing to its regulators that a downed conductor was discovered at a tower associated with its Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit. “SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire,” it said. Continue reading…
