California Heats Up, Strong Winds Set to Return
Firefighters in Southern California were still battling several large wildfires in the Los Angeles area, about 2,700 miles (4,300 kilometers) from the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., on Monday, as forecasters warned of a return of high winds that could lead to “explosive fire growth.”
Santa Ana winds gusting to 50 to 70 mph (80 to 112 kph) were expected to return Monday night and into Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service said as it issued its highest fire warning “with conditions that are extremely dangerous.”
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone, meanwhile, said at a news conference Monday morning, “The anticipated winds, combined with low humidity levels and low water content in vegetation, will make the fire threat throughout Los Angeles County very high.”
Anticipating the return of Santa Ana winds, officials have warned nearly 10 million Los Angeles County residents to prepare to evacuate. And California Gov. Gavin Newsom said over the weekend that the state was deploying firefighters to vulnerable areas, including around the Palisades and Eaton fires, two of the largest burning in Southern California.
High winds and dry conditions in an area that has not seen significant rainfall in more than eight months have fueled the fires there. The death toll rose to at least 24 by the end of the week, with at least 16 others missing. Authorities said that number is expected to rise.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference Monday morning that the National Weather Service’s forecast of near-hurricane force winds prompted urgent preparations.
“The National Weather Service is forecasting near-hurricane force winds and we are urgently preparing. "My priority and everyone's priority is to do everything we can to protect lives as the winds approach," he said.
Bass said firefighters from the city of Los Angeles and from across the country and even abroad have been proactively and strategically positioned to save lives. They are involved in an effort that includes 1,354 fire trucks, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including from Canada and Mexico. The return of high winds threatens to derail progress made in containing the blazes.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said Monday that the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area, which has killed eight people and burned 36 square miles (96 square kilometers), is 14 percent contained.
The Eaton Fire, further inland from Pasadena and Altadena, which has killed 16 people and burned nearly 25 square miles (60 square kilometers), was 33 percent contained as of Monday morning.
Another blaze, the Hurst Fire in the Sylmar area, is 89 percent contained, Cal Fire said, after burning more than two square miles (3 square kilometers).
Governor Newsom said the firestorm could be considered the most destructive natural disaster in U.S. history, destroying thousands of homes and forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate
The fires, which began a week ago, have also caused billions of dollars in damage. The blazes have reduced some neighborhoods to rubble, leaving horrific scenes. Officials said at least 12,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Private forecasting service AccuWeather has estimated the damage and economic losses at between $130 billion and $150 billion. The losses are so high in part because many of the homes burned down are among the most expensive in the U.S.
Gold prices rose globally over the weekend, as concerns grew about the impact of the Los Angeles fires on the U.S. economy
The Chairman of the Jordanian Gold Trading Shop Owners Syndicate, Rabhi Allan, confirmed this amid concerns that the devastating fire that caused losses of up to thousands of trillions of rupiah could cause shock to the US economy.
Global gold prices rose at the end of last week, following growing concerns about the impact of the fire in Los Angeles on the United States (US) economy.
Global gold prices rose at the end of last week, following growing concerns about the impact of the fire in Los Angeles on the US economy. The Chairman of the Jordanian Gold Trading Shop Owners Syndicate, Rabhi Allan, confirmed this amid concerns that the devastating fire that caused losses of up to thousands of trillions of rupiah could cause shock to the US economy.(ayu)
Source: Newsmaker
