Synopsis
Southern Californian residents are being advised to minimize outdoor activities due to deteriorating air quality caused by severe wildfires. The NWS has issued multiple alerts and warnings as the region faces extreme fire weather, with significant losses reported in both life and property.Key Takeaways
- Residents advised to stay indoors.
- Severe air quality alerts in effect.
- Wildfires have resulted in over 27 fatalities.
- Palisades Fire currently at 31% containment.
- Evacuation orders lifted for some neighborhoods.
California, Jan 22 (NationPress) Millions of residents in Southern California are being urged to restrict their outdoor activities due to poor air quality resulting from ongoing devastating wildfires, as reported by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS).
The NWS has issued multiple air quality alerts for areas including the South Coast Air Basin, Coachella Valley, and eastern Riverside County, according to Xinhua news agency.
Forecasts indicate very strong Santa Ana winds and severe fire weather conditions will impact parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties starting Monday.
Increased and more widespread Santa Ana winds are anticipated overnight in the usual wind-susceptible areas of these counties, as stated by the NWS Los Angeles.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has released an advisory regarding windblown dust and ash due to the strong Santa Ana winds expected to persist throughout the region until Tuesday evening.
The NWS has also issued Red Flag Warnings, High Wind Warnings, and Wind Advisories for a significant portion of the area.
Recently, local authorities confirmed that the intense wildfires ravaging Southern California have resulted in at least 27 fatalities and the destruction of over 12,300 structures following more than a week of devastation.
The Palisades Fire, recognized as the largest active wildfire in the Los Angeles region, has scorched 23,713 acres (95.96 square km). This fire, which ignited on January 7, is currently 31 percent contained, an increase from 22 percent earlier on Thursday.
“Overnight and this morning, cooler temperatures, light winds, and good humidity were recorded,” noted the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) in a Friday morning update, adding that “Crews are actively working to establish and enhance containment lines to limit fire spread around structures in controlled areas, ensuring public and personnel safety.”
Another significant ongoing fire, the Eaton Fire, is now 65 percent contained as of Friday morning, up from 55 percent the previous day. This hazardous fire has consumed 14,117 acres (57.1 square km) near Altadena and Pasadena.
Cal Fire reported that firefighters continue their efforts to build and improve containment lines in steep and hard-to-reach terrain.
Containment efforts are progressing, and it is expected that the fire will remain within its current footprint, according to Cal Fire.
Local officials indicated that approximately 11,000 residents may return to their neighborhoods as some evacuation orders were lifted on Thursday. However, individuals must provide proof of residency to enter these areas, while some other regions severely affected by the wildfires will remain closed to the public.
