After so many L.A. fire failures, this week's Santa Ana winds test whether officials can do better
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.
Set us as preferred Since the Eaton and Palisades fires, there has been report after report documenting how woefully unprepared city, county and fire officials were.This week’s upcoming Santa Ana winds will provide one of the first major tests of whether Los Angeles has applied those painful lessons.A red flag alert is in place across most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties from 6 a.m.
Thursday through 10 p.m.Friday, with forecasters warning of sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph and gusts of 40 to 60 mph.
The powerful Santa Anas will coincide with toasty temperatures of 85 to 95 degrees and low humidity rates of between 5% and 15% across much of the region.“There’s a high risk for any new fires to grow really fast,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.Climate & Environment The report provides the most frank and in-depth review of the Eaton and Palisades fires, and points out multiple shortcomings in governmental planning and response.Reviews of last year’s firestorm revealed critical failures to pre-stage resources, especially in the Palisades where no engines were deployed in advance of the fire’s start, despite warnings of extreme weather.
The city of L.A.also drew criticism for the fact that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was dry during the firestorm, while the L.A.
Fire Department’s own after-action report described major failures by high-ranking commanders in communication, staffing and basic wildland firefighting knowledge.Both the L.A.city and county fire departments are strategically pre-deploying personnel and equipment in advance of this week’s dangerous fire weather.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is also positioning additional firefighters, aircraft and equipment in Orange, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara counties.Mayor Kar...