The Santa Ana winds that fanned the fires devastating Southern California were forecast to return as firefighters scrambled to douse the deadly blazes that have destroyed more than 10,000 homes, businesses and other structures.
“A strong Santa Ana Wind event is expected to develop Monday and last through at least Tuesday,” the National Weather Service said in its red flag warning, adding that the humidity will fall sharply. “Along with the extremely dry fuels, this will create a high risk for critical fire weather conditions and rapid fire spread with any new fires.”
Winds of 35-50 mph will race across the the mountains and foothills of Los Angeles and Ventura counties with “widespread damaging gusts of 60 to 80 mph likely.” Isolated gusts 80 to 100 mph are possible in some mountain areas.
“Very dry conditions with low relative humidity and strong northeast winds are predicted to return,” Cal Fire said in its update on the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, now 81% contained.
The Palisades Fire, the other major blaze, was 52% contained Sunday. The Eaton fire has killed at least 17 people, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. At least 10 have died in the Palisades Fire.
“Crews are working around the clock to build containment lines and support search and rescue efforts, while providing protection and assistance to the public as the repopulation process occurs,” Cal Fire said in a Palisades Fire incident report Sunday.
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In Altadena, residents are still waiting to get back to their homes. While some escaped the fire, many structures burned.
Residents ponder whether to rebuild or walk away
The fires have left residents with the prickly decision of whether or not to rebuild. Rebuilding costs are rising, with no certainty that another fire won’t consume the communities again. And there is the issue of the ash that has blanketed the burned out properties. The Los Angeles County Health Department has warned residents returning to those properties to wear masks with filters.
“Think of ash like fine, dangerous dust that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and can cause major problems everywhere it lands,” the department warned in a statement. “It’s not just dirt.”
Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works, said he is setting up a free program to clear out the hazardous waste for homeowners that will “deliver a lot to you ready to build (on).” State and local officials are promising to cut red tape to speed reconstruction.
Jewelry designer Charlotte Dewaele, 48, rents a home in Altadena that survived the fires because her husband stayed behind to defend it as fire approached. Many neighbors were not so fortunate. Now what?
“You are in the middle of this wasteland,” she told Reuters. “Am I going to make my kid wear a mask outside for the next four years?”
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Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Santa Ana winds threaten as firefighters battle LA fires
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