I am still monitoring the Greater Los Angeles wildfires with some intriguing updates.
We reported on a suspected arsonist being arrested for the Kenneth Fire along the Los Angeles/Ventura County lines. While he ultimately wasn’t charged, it appears nine suspects have been arrested for arson in a spate of recent, small fires that have ignited in recent days.
Authorities have arrested at least eight people accused of setting new, small fires in the days since the larger fires erupted, including suspects setting trees, bushes, leaves and trash ablaze, officials said.On the evening of January 14, a woman was arrested after allegedly setting multiple piles of rubbish and trash on fire, Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, said at a news conference last week.When the woman was arrested, she admitted to setting fires and said “she enjoyed causing chaos and destruction,” according to McDonnell.Another suspect, arrested earlier on the same day after allegedly setting a fire in a tree, admitted to starting the fire “because he liked the smell of burning leaves,” said the police chief.
The ninth was a man suspected of igniting a blaze under the famous Griffith Park observatory.
He was at least the ninth person across Southern California taken into custody for allegedly starting small fires in the wake of Eaton and Palisades infernos. The causes of those two fires remain under investigation.According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the fire was reported around 1 p.m. and had burned a quarter acre. Firefighters rushed to the area south of Griffith Observatory as plumes of black smoke could be seen from Hollywood and the surrounding area.Helicopters made water drops and slowed the fire considerably on Monday afternoon after it burned less than an acre. No structures were damaged in the fire.
Maybe it is time for California politicians to get serious about containing and controlling those with clear mental health issues….if they are truly interested in “environmental protection,” as they say.
The Los Angeles area is poised to get some relief later this week, as light rains are slated for the forecast.
A small amount of rain is in the forecast for the region beginning late Friday through early Saturday, a much anticipated change of weather for the region, which has suffered through a prolonged dry spell that has fueled deadly and destructive fires.In Los Angeles County, where the Palisades and Eaton fires have carved a devastating path this month, mostly under a third of an inch of rain is expected. Rain totals could be slightly higher in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains and other places, said Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.“Obviously it’s going to be very welcome to get some sort of moisture here,” Lewis said. “In terms of ending the fire season, it’s probably not going to be enough for that. But it’ll certainly help a little bit.”
The timing of the rains could not be more perfect, as President Donald Trump is due for a visit at the same time.
Now for an update on the two large wildfires in the area:
Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire has presently burned 23,713 acres and is now at 63% containment. The fire caused significant damage, with CalFire confirming that 6,380 structures were destroyed and 788 were damaged in the total affected area, including Palisades and Malibu. Over 12,000 structures remain threatened.
Officials report that 11 people are dead from this blaze, and another three have been injured. One firefighter has reportedly been injured due to fire response activities.
Tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders. A curfew is still in effect for the Palisades fire zone from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The public must stay vigilant on current fire conditions, which can change rapidly if the Santa Ana winds return with force (as may happen on Wednesday night).
Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire in the Pasadena/Altadena area is currently 87% contained and has burned 14,021 acres. Firefighters are making steady progress in containment efforts, particularly along the eastern edge of the fire, including steep canyons.
A Red Flag Warning has been extended through 6 p.m. tomorrow, with moderate to strong Santa Ana winds expected to persist.
The fire has so far destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged over 1000 others. Over 6700 structures remain threatened. There have been 17 civilian deaths and eight firefighter injuries reported.
Finally, calls for investigation into the evacuation process associated with the Eaton Fire are being triggered by reports about substantial delays for the western portion of the evacuation zone receiving electronic notifications.
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