Another day of ferocious winds forecast for Southern California

LOS ANGELES — A second day of heavy winds was forecast for Southern California on Tuesday firefighters remained alert and extreme firefighting increased the risk of new wildfires two weeks later two major fires that are still burning emerged in the Los Angeles area.

Wind gusts could peak at 70 mph (113 km/h) along the coast and 100 mph (160 km/h) in the mountains and foothills during extreme fire weather that is expected to last through Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service has warned of a “ particularly dangerous situation ” for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning due to low humidity and damage Santa Ana wind.

“Conditions are ripe for explosive fire growth if a fire breaks out,” said Andrew Rorke, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

On Monday, Los Angeles firefighters quickly extinguished a small brush fire that broke out south of the iconic three-domed Griffith Observatory. A man suspected of setting the fire was taken into custody, said David Cuellar, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Firefighters also quickly extinguished a brush fire along Interstate 405 in Los Angeles’ Granada Hills neighborhood, temporarily closing northbound lanes.

Farther south, firefighters aggressively battled a fire that also started Monday afternoon in the San Diego County city of Poway, halting its progress.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff flew to Los Angeles after their attendance The inauguration of President Donald Trump and met with firefighters, volunteers and victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena.

“We just came out to thank the firefighters, to thank the community and to remind people that we are all in this together,” Harris said. She said their home in Pacific Palisades was still standing.

Trump, who criticized the response to the wildfires during his inaugural address, has said he will travel to Los Angeles on Friday.

Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that the devastation left by the fires underscores the need for partnership between the state and the federal government.

“I look forward to President Trump’s visit to Los Angeles and his mobilization of the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild,” Newsom said in a statement.

A small amount of rain is forecast in the Los Angeles area over the weekend, although more gusty winds are expected Thursday, Rorke said.

Authorities urged people not to mow their lawns to avoid starting a fire, as well as not starting a fire that could get out of control. They also urged residents to review their evacuation plans and prepare emergency kits, be on the lookout for new fires and report them quickly.

David Acuna, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said the biggest concerns are the Palisades and Eaton Fires breaking their containment lines and starting another fire.

“Don’t do things that will start another fire so we can focus on limiting the current fires,” Acuna said.

The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and strong Santa Ana winds come as firefighters continue to battle two major fires in the Los Angeles area, the Palisades and Eaton fires, which did at least 27 people killed and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since erupting during heavy winds on January 7. The Palisades fire was 61% contained early Tuesday and the Eaton fire was 87% contained, fire officials said.

More evacuation orders were lifted for Pacific Palisades on Monday, and authorities said only residents would be allowed back in after showing proof of residency at a checkpoint. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, two men posing as firefighters attempted to enter an evacuation zone for the Palisades Fire over the weekend.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Monday that the city is prepared for possible new fires and warned that strong winds could spread ash from existing fire zones in Southern California. She urged Angelenos to visit lacity.gov to learn more about ways to do that protect themselves from toxic air during Santa Ana winds.

Cal Fire and local fire departments have positioned fire engines, water drop planes and hand crews throughout the region to respond quickly if another fire breaks out, Acuna said.

Acuna said Cal Fire had additional fire crews in Kern and Riverside counties.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the department has all available engines ready and that 30 of them were located in high-risk areas. The department also ordered the outgoing crew of about 1,000 firefighters to remain on duty to staff the additional engines.

“The pre-implementation is very, very thoughtful and strategic,” Crowley said.