As recovery efforts in LA move forward, powerful new winds threaten progress

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While Los Angeles officials are making progress in fire containment and search-and-recovery efforts, more strong winds are expected across LA and Ventura counties over the next few days. These will create dangerous conditions and the possibility of new wildfires, even as multiple blazes continue to burn across already decimated areas.

The winds along with extremely dry conditions and low humidity will lead to a "particularly dangerous situation," with red flag warning conditions by late Monday night through Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

"Strong, locally damaging, NE/E winds will affect West LA Co. & much of Ventura Co. thru Wednesday. Critical fire weather is expected, so PLEASE have multiple ways of getting notifications in case of new fires & prepare ahead of time," the NWS Los Angeles office wrote in a post on X.

A red flag warning means there are conditions for an increased risk of fire: a combination of very low humidity, warm temperatures and strong winds.

Red flag warnings remain in effect for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday, While the wind storm is not forecast to be as strong as last week's winds the NWS is warning of "damaging winds gusting between 55 and 70 mph."

A red flag warning also will be in effect starting Tuesday morning at 4 a.m. PDT and will continue through 12 p.m. PDT Wednesday, bringing a period of "locally damaging winds with extremely critical fire weather conditions" in portions of western mountainous areas and northern San Fernando Valley, the NWS says.

Currently the number of people under evacuation orders has dropped to about 92,000, with 89,000 people under evacuation warnings, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday. But new evacuation warnings and orders are expected to be issued as high winds return over the next few days.

What to know

• Deaths and missing persons: The deaths of 21 people have been confirmed: 16 from the Eaton Fire and five from the Palisades Fire, Luna said Monday. As of Sunday evening, the LA County Medical Examiner was investigating 24 deaths. Search and rescue efforts for missing persons related to the fires are underway. In LA County, 23 people have been reported missing.
• Destruction: More than 38,000 acres have been burned in the Eaton, Palisades and Hurst fires, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Homes and businesses are among the more than 12,000 structures that have been destroyed — as are many houses of worship. Officials expect more in the coming days.
• Containment: The Eaton Fire has spread to more than 14,000 acres and is 33% contained. The Palisades Fire is at nearly 24,000 acres and 14% contained. The Kenneth Fire was fully contained after burning more than 1,000 acres, while the nearly 800-acre Hurst Fire is 95% contained.
• Drinking water: Several drinking water advisories have been issued. A "do not drink" order was issued for most of northern Pasadena after the Eaton Fire damaged pump stations and reservoirs. A "do not drink" notice was also issued for areas in the Pacific Palisades and communities north of San Vicente Blvd under evacuation orders. The LA Department of Water and Power said it issued the notice because of "the potential of fire-related contaminants that may have entered the water system." Parts of northern Pasadena have also been warned not to use tap water for drinking, cooking, hand washing or bathing until further notice, the city said on Saturday.
• Air Quality: The LA County public health department is advising those in areas impacted by smoke to limit time outside, use an air purifier in homes and wear an N95 or P100 respirator.
  

How to help and stay safe

Resources to help stay safe:
➡️ With fire danger still high, authorities implore you to follow evacuation orders
➡️ What to do — and not do — when you get home after a fire evacuation
➡️ Is smoke in your home? Here's how to make an air purifier from a box fan
➡️Trying to stay safe in a wildfire? There's an app that can help

Ways to support the response and recovery:
➡️ Want to help fire victims? Here's what experts say does the most good and places seeking volunteers
➡️ Wildfire donations and volunteering: How and where to help
➡️ Share: These are the steps fire victims need to take to make an insurance claim

The California Newsroom is following the extreme weather from across the region. Click through to LAist's coverage for the latest.