New wildfire concerns in Los Angeles: Strong winds could return next week.
Editor's note: This file captures the news of the California wildfires from Thursday, Jan. 16. For the latest updates on the LA fires, follow USA TODAY's live coverage for Friday, Jan. 17.
LOS ANGELES ? Firefighters were making steady progress on the deadly fires that have destroyed thousands of homes and other buildings across the region, but residents must prepare for a return of the strong winds that could rekindle and spread the flames, authorities said Thursday.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said a large amount of unburned, dry fuel combined with low humidity and the expected return of the harsh Santa Ana winds next week could bring more devastation. She urged residents to clear all brush within 200 feet of their homes.
“Flying embers from a wildfire can destroy homes over a mile away," Crowley said at a briefing Thursday. She asked residents to provide first responders with a "fighting chance" to save homes if the fires spread.
Mudslides also are a concern. Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said he expects "massive debris flows" when rains finally come to the region. The county is scrambling to prepare flood control systems for the onslaught, he said.
The fires have reduced entire neighborhoods along the Pacific Coast and inland near the San Gabriel Mountains to ash and rubble. At least 27 people have died in the fires, 31 others are missing, and more than 12,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been damaged or destroyed.
As many as 200,000 people were forced to flee from their homes at the height of the fires. About 82,400 people remained under evacuation orders and another 90,400 faced evacuation warnings as of Wednesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday.
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Developments:
? Pacific Palisades residents whose homes are on the perimeter of the fire have been allowed to return as of 1 p.m. PT Thursday, the L.A. County Sheriff's Office said.
? Before this year, the Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service had only issued four Red Flag Warnings with the designation of "particularly dangerous situation,'' starting in October 2020. The office then issued that critical alert twice in the first half of this month.
? The Genesis Invitational, a PGA Tour event Tiger Woods was to host next month at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, will be played at a different location because of the fires, the tour said without announcing the new venue.
? Power outages declined again Thursday as the slow recovery from the fires continued. Less than 15,000 homes and businesses were without power in Los Angeles County and less than 30,000 in San Bernardino County. Ventura County outages were below 2,000.
? The Balmer Group, a foundation started by Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer, announced that it is donating $15 million in emergency funding for the "many people impacted by these fires, particularly in the historic, racially diverse community of Altadena."
? On Thursday, the Getty Villa Museum said its center in Brentwood, California, was "no longer under threat" and will re-open to the public on Jan. 28. The Getty Villa, which had been threatened by the Palisades Fire, will remain closed until further notice.
LA fire crews make progress LA fire crews make progress but dangers remain; EPA hazmat teams to start cleaning debris
Palisades Fire containment improves
The Palisades and Eaton fires ? along with several smaller blazes ? have burned over 40,000 acres in Los Angeles County, according to Cal Fire. Relatively light winds late Wednesday and early Thursday aided the efforts by firefighters, Crowley said.
"We are very fortunate that this last wind event did not cause any expansion of the Palisades Fire," Crowley said. "Together we are able to move forward in the recovery from these devastating fires."
The Palisades Fire was 22% contained Thursday. Aerial imagery shows approximately 5,000 homes, businesses and other structures may have been damaged or destroyed, Cal Fire said.
The Eaton Fire was 55% contained. At least 6,700 structures have been destroyed, and about 770 others are damaged, according to Cal Fire.
Officials said in a Thursday evening update that crews were using aerial infrared imaging and helicopters to find and extinguish remaining hotspots in the Eaton Fire.
FBI issues warning for fraudulent charitable donations
The FBI issued a public service announcement on Thursday warning the public about fraudulent charitable donations related to mass casualty and disaster events.
"Scammers exploit mass casualty events and disasters, such as the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans and the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, to commit fraud by soliciting fake charitable donations to support victims or their families," the FBI said.
The agency added that scammers may impersonate disaster relief agencies, other official entities, celebrities and influencers to collect personal information or solicit donations. The FBI noted that scammers may use artificial intelligence to "increase perceived legitimacy of a fraud or impersonation."
Last year, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 4,500 complaints reporting about $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts, and disaster relief campaigns.
How long do wildfires last? Answer is elusive
The gradual progress in the containment of the Palisades and Eaton fires, the two largest blazes burning in Los Angeles County, raises the question of how long wildfires typically last in California.
There's no single answer, according to Cal Fire information officer Scotty McLean, who said fuel type, topography and the weather are the main determinants. Fire crews try to make sure they extinguish these infernos completely before moving on to prevent hotspots lingering under the surface from sparking another blaze.
Wind is a major factor in determining duration because flying embers can reignite a seemingly dormant fire. Jim Menakis, branch chief for fire ecology with the Forest Service, said he doesn't expect the Los Angeles blazes to endure for months because they are partially contained in a geographic area, but the winds must die down "significantly" for them to be put out.
"There’s no certain metrics of saying, 'We expect it to be out in 14 days based on these conditions,''' Menakis said, "because it’s hard to predict those kind of things and these winds are challenging.''
? Paris Barraza, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Residents distressed as they're kept away from homes
As conditions improve, some residents are growing increasingly frustrated about not being allowed to return to their homes.
"You can see the emotional toll that this disaster has taken on people, as I spoke to people who had lost their homes or who were not sure the status of their homes or missing pets,'' Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said.
Officials said some evacuees may not be able to return home for another week as emergency responders remove toxic waste and cut off electricity and gas lines posing a hazard amid the ruins. In addition, the search for human remains continues.
"There are areas that we are holding because we believe there may be deceased victims there,'' Luna said. "We have to hold for the right time and the right resources to process the scene correctly, and that's going to take a little while."
Judges, court staff lose homes in wildfires
At least 36 judges and employees in federal and state courts have lost their homes in the wildfires, court officials said.
By the end of Wednesday, nearly all federal and state courthouses in Los Angeles County were open for business and conducting court proceedings following some earlier closures, though the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Pasadena courthouse remains closed.
But court officials said they were now in the process of evaluating the extent to which the wildfires have impacted their personnel, who in many cases had been displaced and in some cases lost their homes in the devastating blazes.
“The court is actively evaluating the extent and magnitude of the firestorm's impact on our court community," Rob Oftring, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Superior Court, said in a statement.
— Reuters
Help arriving from near and far, and in creative ways
From housekeepers suddenly without a job to parents desperate to appease a child who lost a favorite teddy bear, the L.A. County fires have created various levels of hardship for people in Southern California.
It's at times like these that the best of humanity often comes to the fore, as perfect strangers ? sometimes from thousands of miles away ? seeking to provide assistance to the afflicted.
Community groups, businesses and individuals around the country are coming up with creative ways to help those impacted by the fires – organizing stuffed animal drives, offering free therapy and raising funds for workers who’ve lost their livelihoods. Read more here.
? Karissa Waddick
Newsom eases rules for temporary housing
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday to help with housing needs of thousands of evacuees displaced by the fires. The order directs state departments to support local governments in developing temporary housing plans and streamlines construction and occupancy of "accessory dwelling units" ? small living spaces that share lots with larger homes.
The order also makes it easier to place temporary trailers and other housing on the property while destroyed or damaged residences are rebuilt, and it extends price gouging bans on hotel, motel and rental housing in Los Angeles County to March 8.
"Today, we are expediting the creation of new temporary housing by removing roadblocks and strengthening protections against exploitation," Newsom said in a statement.
Severe drought adds to fire worries
A "severe drought" designation was expanded to include all of Southern California because of a dry start to the water year that began Oct. 1, according to the federal Drought Monitor summary released Thursday. The severe drought designation means year-to-date precipitation has averaged less than 5% of normal. The designation includes Los Angeles and Ventura counties, where the wildfires have been burning.
The summary noted that the dry start to the water year comes after two years of wet winters for the region. Wet winters lead to the growth of more vegetation that can serve fuel for fires when it is dried out by drought conditions.
Federal Labor Department OKs $10 million in relief funding
The U.S. Labor Department on Thursday approved up to $10 million for California in emergency grants to pay for disaster-relief jobs and training, with an initial release of $1 million, the department announced.
“This Dislocated Worker Grant will help to support California and its incredible, vibrant, diverse people as they begin what will be a long recovery,” said Julie Su, acting labor secretary.
The grant program allows the state’s Employment Development Department to provide temporary disaster-relief jobs and humanitarian assistance for immediate, basic needs for people displaced by the fires.
? Dinah Voyles Pulver
Does LA really want rain? Why that could ignite a disaster of another kind
Residents contemplate rebuilding better
As fires continue to burn across Los Angeles County, conversations are already beginning about whether, and how, to rebuild. In an area known for astronomical real estate prices, a housing market in crisis and the ever-present danger of natural disasters like fires, earthquakes and mudslides – the challenges can feel overwhelming. Becky Nicolaides, whose home was destroyed, told USA TODAY that she and her family are unlikely to move back and rebuild their piece of paradise. But she also views the fires as a lesson in urban development.
“If we go back now and try to rebuild these places, do we want to do it exactly as they were?” she questioned. “I don't think it's a good idea. This could be, on some level ... a kind of unanticipated opportunity to build back in a better way.” Read more here.
? Karissa Waddick
Hilton providing free hotel rooms
Hilton and American Express announced a partnership to make 20,000 hotel room nights available at no cost for evacuees across the greater Los Angeles area. Hilton said in a statement it is working with the Los Angeles County non-profit organization 211 LA to coordinate the distribution of rooms to people who have been displaced by wildfires. People can complete an application online.
“We are actively in touch with all hotels in the area and are incredibly grateful to our team members who have already gone above and beyond to support the community and each other," Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta said in a statement.
Red Cross providing California fire relief
The American Red Cross says hundreds of its workers are "helping to ensure no one faces this heartbreaking time alone" by helping provide food, shelter, emotional support and other critical services to those in need amid the fires. Hundreds of evacuees have sought refuge in the Pasadena Convention Center and other Red Cross and "partner" shelters, the agency said in a statement.
Disaster health volunteers are caring for minor injuries and replacing things such as eyeglasses and medications while mental health workers are providing emotional support to those experiencing unimaginable loss. Financial assistance programs also were being launched, the agency said.
Jet Propulsion Lab employees lost homes in Eaton Fire
Scientists and other personnel at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory just outside Pasadena have been working remotely since the lab was forced to close more than a week ago. The federally funded research and development center is in the Eaton Fire evacuation zone, and lab director Laurie Leshin said many have lost their homes. The lab remained closed except for "essential activities," she said.
"We are providing critical support to firefighting helicopters," she said in a social media post. "We are focused on our @NASAJPL community. 200 JPLers have lost everything."
Martin Lo, 72, a principal mission designer at JPL, and his husband William Wentzel lost their home in the fire. They told the Pasadena Star-News they have heard from many friends, some they haven’t seen for decades, offering them places to stay.
“It was really heartwarming,” Lo said. “We lost things but it seems like we have great riches in our friends and colleagues and students.”
Newsom bans 'predatory' land offers
Residents who lost their homes in the Los Angeles-area wildfires a week ago are already being offered buyouts for their prime real estate ? and now Newsom is stepping in to block land speculators.
In an executive order issued Tuesday, Newsom temporarily banned "unsolicited undervalued offers" to buy properties in 15 specific fire-damaged ZIP codes, including Altadena and Pacific Palisades, which were burned by the Eaton and Palisades fires respectively.
"As families mourn, the last thing they need is greedy speculators taking advantage of their pain," Newsom said in a statement. "We will not allow greedy developers to rip off these working-class communities at a time when they need more support than ever before." Read more here.
'The ecosystem is going to change'
Next time it rains, miles of canyons and hillsides charred by wildfires will send debris rushing down ravines and through drainage ditches into the Pacific Ocean. Recent wildfires will leave Los Angeles with an unprecedented environmental catastrophe that will linger for years, experts say, from the toxic ash settling in backyards and playgrounds to asthma attacks, drinking water contamination and even an increased risk of dementia, which studies have tied to wildfire particulate exposure.
"It’s devastating, devastating," said Marjan Khonsari, a 30-year Santa Monica resident and co-founder of Kapowui Surf Lessons. "The whole ecosystem is going to change." Read more here.
Los Angeles County health officials prohibit fire debris removal
The Los Angeles County Health Officer issued a new order prohibiting the cleanup or removal of fire debris from damaged and burned properties until a hazardous materials inspection is completed by an approved government agency.
Critical fire areas include the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Creek, Hurst and Lidia fires, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
"This order aims to protect public health and safety during the cleanup process for fire debris," the department said in a statement. "This order applies exclusively to the cleanup or removal of fire debris and does not restrict the removal of personal property from residential sites."
The order came after authorities banned people from using leaf blowers to clean up ash because of inhalation risk. Los Angeles residents have been advised to stay indoors with windows closed and wear an N-95 mask or respirator for protection.
Families mourn LA wildfire victims: Surfers, adventurers, matriarchs, fathers and sons
What caused the LA wildfires?
Much remains unknown about the origins of the blazes that have decimated entire neighborhoods and forced tens of thousands from their homes.
Forecasters and scientists say a perfect storm of weather conditions set the stage for the fires' explosive growth: hurricane-force winds, low humidity and relentless drought conditions.
In addition to the causes of the fires, investigators are also probing insufficient water supplies and pressure at fire hydrants in the Pacific Palisades, an affluent community ravaged by a wildfire that authorities said overwhelmed the local water system.
Officials have not publicly identified the causes of the blazes, but several lawsuits and statements from the region's largest utility provider have offered insight into their possible origins.
Contributing: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles fires updates: Strong winds next week, mudslides a concern