Los Angeles, United States, Jan 13 (EFE).- A new wave of strong winds that since Monday has hit southern California threatens to worsen the gradual progress in containing the fires in Los Angeles County, which have claimed the lives of 24 people almost a week since they began.
Rescue teams have managed to significantly contain the three most virulent active outbreaks in the area in the last 24 hours.
The most worrying, the devastating fire in the wealthy Palisades neighborhood, which has already scorched 9,500 hectares, has been contained by 14 percent, according to the latest bulletin from the California Fire Department The flames in Eaton, in the city of Pasadena and the community of Altadena, were also contained by 33 percent, while the one in Hurst, which threatens the suburb of Sylman, in the north of Los Angeles, is about to be extinguished with 95 percent containment.
The progress made this weekend, favored by the weather in dealing with the fires, will be put to the test in the coming days due to a period of strong winds from Santa Ana, whose greatest virulence is expected to increase Tuesday morning.
Extreme fire danger will continue into Wednesday afternoon, as well as red flag warnings of a “particularly dangerous situation” due to dry conditions in the affected areas, the National Weather Service reported.
The improvements in conditions in both the areas on alert and in air quality have led to the reopening of schools and offices in Los Angeles County in an attempt to try to return to normal.
California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed Monday an allocation of at least $2.5 billion in additional funds “for ongoing emergency response initiatives and to boost Los Angeles recovery efforts.”
“The funds will support recovery and cleanup, additional preparation for wildfires, and the reopening of schools closed by the fires,” he added in his statement.
Nearly a week has passed since the start of the fires, which will go down in the country’s history as some of the most destructive, challenging relief personnel and resources to the limit to stop their spread, reinforcements from other points inside and outside the country continue to arrive.
A first brigade of 72 Mexican firefighters joined the tasks to fight the flames Monday in the Palisades fire, joining the more than 5,000 troops deployed in the area.
For its part, the government increased federal funding for relief efforts and emergency protection measures Monday.
More than 1,800 members of the National Guard are deployed in the affected areas, and more reinforcements are expected to arrive in the next few hours, the Department of Defense said in a statement.
The entertainment world is also turning to the return to normality in Los Angeles. Twelve of the city’s elite sports teams, including the Lakers, Dodgers, and Los Angeles Galaxy, showed their support for those affected with a combined donation of more than $8 million.
Music star Beyoncé also announced through her foundation that she will support the families in the Pasadena and Altadena area who have been left homeless with $2.5 million.
Multiple fires in Los Angeles have claimed the lives of 24 people since they began on Jan. 7, with more than 16,100 hectares burned, 7,000 structures destroyed, and the evacuation of more than 150,000 people. EFE
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