California wildfires continue to spread due to strong winds
Firefighters in Los Angeles are preparing to deal with the possibility of dangerously strong winds returning, worsening the current wildfire situation.
Wildfires in California , USA are at risk of continuing to spread. Firefighters in Los Angeles, California, USA, are preparing to deal with dangerously strong winds again, which will worsen the current wildfires – which have already claimed the lives of 27 people.
Local authorities said they had contained more than 50% of the two largest fires – which burned nearly 16,187 hectares of land, flattening entire neighborhoods of America’s second largest city.
(Photo: AP)
However, the US National Weather Service (NWS) warned that strong winds gusting up to 130 km/h, along with very low humidity, will create dangerous weather conditions and the risk of wildfires will rise to a high alert level again from January 20. California Governor Gavin Newsom said this was the fourth extreme wind event in the past 3 months, while in the past 4 years, the state only received 2 strong wind events.
Mr. Newsom said authorities have mobilized 35 fire trucks, along with firefighters, helicopters and bulldozers to extinguish new wildfires.
As the wildfires came under control, evacuation orders were lifted in parts of Los Angeles, and search and rescue efforts and resettlement efforts were stepped up. However, local authorities also faced challenges with widespread looting, with many people disguised as firefighters breaking into people’s homes to steal items.
(Photo: AP)
Governor Newsom highlighted the harsh conditions facing California, with wildfires and extreme weather events linked to climate change increasing in frequency.
In addition to the challenges of wildfires, California faces the threat of future flooding , as heavy rains could wash away hillsides destroyed by the fires. California officials have warned that the wildfires will be followed by flooding in the next 1-2 weeks. In preparation, 2,500 National Guard troops have been mobilized to insert sandbags to prevent landslides.
