Palisades fire wreaks havoc as winds intensify, grounding aircraft and forcing evacuations. Extreme weather fuels wildfire danger.


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The Palisades fire continues to wreak havoc in Southern California, fueled by ferocious winds and critically low humidity. Firefighting crews are facing significant obstacles as aircraft have been grounded, leaving ground crews to battle the fast-moving flames.

Aircraft Grounded Due to Strong Winds

On Tuesday night, high winds forced the grounding of firefighting aircraft battling the Palisades fire. The decision, made shortly before 8 p.m., was necessary as extreme wind gusts made aerial operations ineffective and dangerous. According to Los Angeles fire officials, they are monitoring weather conditions to determine when it will be safe to resume air attacks. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that operating aircraft in such winds would do more harm than good, as water and retardants are dispersed before reaching their targets.

The Fire’s Rapid Growth

The fire ignited at Piedra Morada Drive at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. By early evening, it had scorched 2,921 acres, forcing over 30,000 residents to evacuate. Crews are racing to contain the fire, but the situation remains critical as wind speeds increase. Experts predict the strongest winds will occur between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Wednesday, posing a significant challenge to overnight firefighting efforts.

Critical Weather Conditions

The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” warning for Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties due to extreme fire danger. These conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, with vegetation drying out further as the windstorm continues. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain warned that the worst is yet to come, with stronger winds and lower humidity on the horizon.

Impact on the Community

The Palisades fire threatens thousands of homes, businesses, and landmarks, including the Getty Villa and Palisades Charter High School. Crews worked tirelessly on Tuesday afternoon to save these sites from flames. Meanwhile, the beloved Reel Inn seafood restaurant in Malibu, a community staple for over three decades, appears to have succumbed to the fire.

Additional Fires Emerge

Amid the intense winds, new fires have broken out in Pasadena and Altadena. The Pasadena fire grew to 20 acres by Tuesday evening, while the Eaton fire in Altadena burned approximately 400 acres by 8:14 p.m., prompting evacuations near the Eaton Canyon Golf Course. Strong winds forced officials to suspend air coverage for these fires as well, further complicating firefighting efforts.

The Role of Climate Change

Experts agree that climate change is exacerbating fire risks in Southern California. UCLA's Alex Hall highlighted that the region has experienced a particularly hot summer followed by minimal rainfall, leaving ample dry vegetation to fuel wildfires. Swain noted that while climate change hasn’t necessarily increased extreme wind events, it has extended the overlap between these events and periods of dry vegetation.

Governor Newsom stressed that fire danger is no longer limited to specific seasons. “November, December, now January — there’s no fire season. It’s fire year. It’s year-round,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The Palisades fire is expected to remain a significant threat as extreme weather conditions persist. Fire danger will continue throughout the week, with experts warning of the potential for new fires to ignite. Residents are urged to stay alert and follow evacuation orders as the situation evolves.

 

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