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Los Angeles – Strong winds swept through Southern California on Tuesday, sparking at least two new wildfires as firefighters continued battling major blazes that have been burning in the Los Angeles area for the past two weeks.
Gusts were expected to reach up to 70 mph (113 km/h) along coastal areas and up to 100 mph (160 km/h) in the mountains and foothills, with extreme fire weather conditions forecasted to persist through Tuesday morning. According to the National Weather Service, overnight wind speeds ranged from 35 mph (56 km/h) along the coast to 63 mph (101 km/h) in the mountainous regions.
A “particularly dangerous situation” warning was issued by the weather service for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego counties from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning, citing strong Santa Ana winds and critically low humidity levels.
“The current conditions provide the perfect environment for rapid fire spread if a fire ignites,” said meteorologist Andrew Rorke of the Oxnard weather service office.
In San Diego County, at least two small fires ignited. The Lilac Fire, which has already consumed about 50 acres (20 hectares), prompted evacuation orders as it continued to spread at a moderate pace, threatening nearby structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Meanwhile, firefighters successfully halted the forward progress of the Pala Fire.
On Monday, Los Angeles fire crews swiftly extinguished a small brush fire that broke out near the iconic Griffith Observatory. A suspect believed to have started the fire was taken into custody, according to LAPD spokesperson David Cuellar. Another brush fire near Interstate 405 in Granada Hills temporarily shut down northbound traffic but was quickly contained.
Firefighters in San Diego County also battled a blaze in Poway on Monday afternoon, successfully stopping its spread.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, visited Los Angeles following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. They met with firefighters, volunteers, and residents affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena.
“We’re here to express our gratitude to the firefighters and to remind the community that we’re in this together,” Harris said, adding that their home in Pacific Palisades was safe.
President Trump, who criticized the wildfire response in his inaugural address, is scheduled to visit Los Angeles on Friday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the importance of collaboration between state and federal authorities in addressing the crisis. “I look forward to President Trump’s visit and his commitment to deploying federal resources to help Californians recover and rebuild,” Newsom said.
The weather forecast includes a slight chance of rain over the weekend in the Los Angeles area, but gusty winds are expected to return by Thursday, according to Rorke.
Authorities urged residents to take preventive measures, such as avoiding lawn mowing and other activities that could accidentally start a fire. Residents were also encouraged to review evacuation plans, prepare emergency kits, and remain vigilant for new fire outbreaks.
David Acuna, a Cal Fire spokesperson, warned that the biggest concerns remain the Palisades and Eaton Fires breaking through containment lines and the possibility of new fires starting.
“We need everyone to take precautions and avoid actions that could start new fires so we can concentrate on containing the existing ones,” Acuna said.
The combination of low humidity, dry vegetation, and powerful Santa Ana winds has exacerbated firefighting efforts. Since January 7, the Palisades and Eaton Fires have claimed at least 27 lives and destroyed over 14,000 structures. As of early Tuesday, fire officials reported the Palisades Fire was 61% contained, while the Eaton Fire had reached 87% containment.
On Monday, some evacuation orders were lifted for Pacific Palisades, allowing residents to return home after verifying their residency at checkpoints. Authorities reported that over the weekend, two individuals posing as firefighters attempted to enter an evacuation zone but were intercepted by law enforcement.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass assured residents that the city was well-prepared for potential new fires and warned that the strong winds could carry ash from existing fire zones across Southern California. She encouraged residents to visit lacity.gov for information on protecting themselves from hazardous air quality.
To respond swiftly to potential new fires, Cal Fire and local fire departments have strategically positioned fire engines, water-dropping aircraft, and hand crews across the region, Acuna said. Additional firefighting resources have been deployed to Kern and Riverside counties.
Los Angeles fire officials confirmed that all available engines were ready, with 30 of them stationed in high-risk fire zones. The department also instructed approximately 1,000 firefighters from the outgoing shift to stay on duty to support the extra deployment.
“The pre-deployment strategy is highly calculated and efficient,” said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Nicholas Crowley.
