Final round of dangerous conditions forecast in Southern California amid fires
15 January 2025, 15:14
At least 25 people have been killed in two massive blazes that destroyed thousands of homes.
Millions of Southern Californians are on edge as winds began picking up during a final round of dangerous fire weather forecast for the region where two massive blazes killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
A day after firefighters gained a reprieve with lighter winds than expected, gusts were hitting up to 35mph on the coast and valleys and 55mph in the mountains before dawn on Wednesday, US National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Hall said.
Meanwhile, firefighters in California also face the threat of fire tornadoes – a rare but dangerous phenomenon in which wildfires create their own weather.
Key message: We are not out of the woods yet. Please stay on guard for a fast-moving fire. The winds underperformed today, but one more enhancement could happen tonight-tomorrow. The PDS Red Flag Warning remains in effect for the same areas, now for 3am to 3pm Wed. #cawx pic.twitter.com/T5qhEGz8Qn
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 15, 2025
The National Weather Service warned on Tuesday that the combination of high winds and severely dry conditions have created a “particularly dangerous situation” in which any new fire could explode in size.
The advisory, which runs into Wednesday, did not mention tornadoes, but meteorologist Todd Hall said they are possible given the extreme conditions.
As the fight to prevent further damage goes on, about 40,000 people have applied for assistance from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), which has already disbursed more than eight million dollars (£6.5 million) for immediate needs like water, food, baby formula and petrol.
— NWS Climate Prediction Center (@NWSCPC) January 14, 2025
The initial money goes directly into bank accounts, regional Fema administrator Robert J Fenton Jr said on Tuesday, denying misinformation about vouchers.
President Joe Biden did say that the federal government would pay 100% of the firefighting and recovery costs in the first 180 days.
But that does not mean Fema will cover 100% of individual families’ costs — the maximum amount the agency can provide is 43,600 dollars (£35,741), Mr Fenton said.
Representatives from Fema, the Small Business Administration, the state and several charities have gathered to explain the process at a disaster recovery centre at UCLA Research Park West and Pasadena City College Community Education Centre.
