L.A. Fires 'Will Get Significantly Worse' Because of Winds Before the Situation Improves, Experts Say
High wind warnings continue to be in effect until 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Jan. 8
Amid the devastating wildfires in Southern California — including the Pacific Palisades fire that has so far spread across at least 2,900 acres as of 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Jan. 8 — experts are saying that the situation is far from improving.
“This event is not only not over, but it is just getting started and will get significantly worse before it gets better,” Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist, said at an afternoon briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 7,The Los Angeles Times reported.
He added that the strongest and most widespread winds have “yet to come.”
In an early morning Wednesday update, the National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles advised that a high wind warning is in effect until 6 p.m. for Catalina and Santa Barbara islands, Los Angeles County beaches, Los Angeles County Inland Coast including downtown Los Angeles, and Palos Verdes Hills. Forecasters predicted north winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
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A structure burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025“Damaging winds could blow down many trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” according to the NWS update.
High wind warnings are also in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday for Central Ventura County valleys, Northern Ventura County mountains and the Southern Ventura County Mountain — as well as the Malibu coast.
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The Palisades Fire burns near homes amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, CaliforniaThe NWS Storm Prediction Center said that while the winds should gradually weaken throughout Wednesday, "critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist into Thursday."
On Wednesday, officials reported two fatalities in the Eaton fire, which began near Pasadena the evening before, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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Meanwhile, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a Wednesday news conference that about 1,000 structures were lost in the Palisades, adding that there was a “high number of people who didn’t evacuate” who sustained serious injuries, reported local CW affiliate KTLA.
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People watch as others drive out of harm's way as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California.As the wildfires blaze across the region, several people have reportedly been injured, including at least one firefighter, a 25-year-old woman who “sustained a serious head injury around 8:30 p.m." local time on Jan. 7, according to a post on X from Erik Scott, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The firefighter "received immediate treatment at the scene” before being transported to a local hospital “for further evaluation,” added Scott.
Related: Tom Hanks’ Son Chet Says His Childhood Neighborhood is ‘Burning to the Ground’ amid Palisades Fires
According to the most recent update from CALFIRE, as of 8:24 a.m. local time, the Palisades fire has burned through 2,921 acres and has not been contained. Other Los Angeles-area blazes including the Eaton fire, the Hurst fire and the Woodley fire which have covered a combined total of nearly 3,000 acres as of Wednesday morning and have also not been contained.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that over 1,400 firefighting personnel have been deployed to combat the wildfires.
“Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives,” he said.
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