Southern California Braces for Continued Winds, Potential Rain After Devastating Wildfires
Southern California remains on high alert as Santa Ana winds are forecast to continue through Thursday, threatening to reignite wildfires that have already claimed 28 lives and scorched over 40,000 acres, CNN reports.
Despite progress in containing some blazes, the region faces a perilous combination of gusty winds, exceptionally dry air, and lingering fire danger.
Over 10 million residents across Southern California are under red flag warnings until 8 p.m. Thursday, with wind gusts potentially reaching 65 mph. While the National Weather Service’s “Particularly Dangerous Situation” warnings expired Tuesday, the elevated risk remains a major concern for fire officials and residents.
Tuesday saw new fire activity in San Diego County, but firefighters made significant progress. The Lilac Fire, which burned 85 acres, is now 50% contained. The Pala Fire was stopped at 17 acres, allowing for the lifting of evacuation orders. In Los Angeles, a small brushfire near Griffith Observatory was quickly extinguished, preventing any structural damage. Other small fires in the Granada Hills and Tujunga areas were contained before posing any significant threat.
Firefighters are continuing to battle larger blazes. The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County is now 63% contained after burning 23,713 acres, and the Eaton Fire is 89% contained at 14,021 acres. Since the start of the recent wind event, hurricane-force gusts of 74 mph or more have been recorded in the region’s mountains and valleys.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a windblown dust and ash advisory through Tuesday night due to the strong winds and fire debris, warning residents of potential air quality issues.
Firefighting teams have been pre-deployed and fire engines and aircraft have been strategically positioned across Southern California in anticipation of the high winds, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley. The Los Angeles Police Department has completed an “exhaustive” search for missing persons in the Palisades Fire burn area.
Adding to the complexity, unusually dry air continues to plague the region, with relative humidity levels dropping to between 1% and 10%. However, a glimmer of hope lies on the horizon as a low-pressure system is expected to bring the first rainfall of the year this weekend. While the expected amount, no more than a half inch, is minimal, any precipitation is welcomed to aid containment efforts and begin to alleviate the severe drought gripping the area. Downtown Los Angeles has only received 0.16 inches of rain since October 1st and no rain at all in 2025. Currently, 90% of Los Angeles County is classified as being in severe drought according to the US Drought Monitor.
However, the potential rainfall is a double-edged sword. The region is now covered with chemically contaminated burn scars that could become breeding grounds for dangerous mudslides. Local leaders are preparing for the potential negative impact of the rain on the scorched land.
President Donald Trump plans to visit California on Friday to assess the wildfire damage. Trump has criticized Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic officials for their handling of the wildfires, and called them “incompetent.”
