A climate professional has warned that while he believes the ‘immediate threat’ of the Los Angeles wildfires ‘is over’, a dangerous event could still take place across the state.
Wildfires continue to burn throughout Los Angeles, with the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office and Sheriff Robert Luna confirming the death toll of the massive Palisades and Eaton fires has risen to 25, as per the LA Times.
It’s thought that at least 23 people are confirmed to be missing, with the massive infernos continuing to destroy thousands of homes since they began raging in the US last week.
Thousands of residents and famous faces alike have lost their homes in the blaze, including Paris Hilton, 43, who confessed to ‘seeing [her] home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV’.
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Forecasters have said Santa Ana winds could cause the flames to worsen in the coming days, LBC reports.
However, local meteorologist Edgar McGregor believes there’s another weather event we should be keeping our eyes out for.
McGregor, 24, is a ‘hero’ in the eyes of many LA residents, having been credited with saving hundreds of lives after issuing an evacuation warning via Facebook.
"I haven't even been able to process that mentally,” he told PEOPLE of his new hero status. "I didn't run into a burning building and get third-degree burns trying to save someone's life.
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"So people are sending me all these comments and I'm thinking to myself, ‘I just did my job’."
The scientist continued, claiming he realised the whipping Santa Ana winds - teamed with months of dry weather - were a recipe for disaster.
“I knew on December 30th that when this windstorm hit, the conditions would be carbon copies of the conditions that were on the ground in Lahaina, Hawaii, and in Paradise, which both were completely levelled and lost around a hundred people each," he said.
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"I told people, if a wildfire breaks out, there'll be a thousand homes burned down. This would be cataclysmic."
McGregor believes the ‘immediate threat is over’ for the most part. However, he has expressed his concern that it still hasn’t rained in LA, claiming this could cause another disaster.
“The next couple of windstorms are not going to be all that impressive, especially not compared to what we saw on Tuesday. But it still hasn't rained,” the climate specialist told the publication.
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"So in the next couple of weeks, if we get another major windstorm, it could be Hollywood that faces disaster next. Santa Barbara. Any of these foothill towns. And then when it rains, we have the mudslides to get through."
He added: "What I'm saying is, this is not over yet."
McGregor’s latest post in the Altadena Weather And Climate Facebook page was made today (January 14) and is designed to put residents at ease.
“Just saw KTLA show Pasadena/Altadena inside a 40 MPH contour for winds tonight,” the scientist wrote to the 7,000 members of his group.
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"I am not forecasting that at all, and aside from weak canyon gusts to 15 MPH in the immediate foothills (such as around the Pinecrest Gate) it will remain calm tonight in Altadena.”
You can support those affected by the fires by donating to the Red Cross online, by calling (800) 733-2767 or texting REDCROSS to 90999.
What we know so far about the LA wildfires
2 January
The first warning
The US National Weather Service issued a warning of potential strong Santa Ana winds and extreme fire conditions five days before the first wildfire broke out.
In the following days, a Fire Weather Watch warning was issued, as well as state and local officials giving warnings to the Los Angeles area.
7 January
The first fire ignites
The Palisade's Fire ignites, triggering an emergency call to be sent to LA residents advising people near the fire to get set for 'a potential evacuation'.
Later that day, however, the City of Santa Monica issued an Evacuation Order for all areas of the city north of San Vicente: "Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW."
Two more wildfires begin
Just hours after the first wildfire ignites, the second - named the Eaton Fire - breaks out in the Altadena area of LA.
And following this, the Hurst Fire ignites in LA's Sylmar area as the National Weather Service report gusts of 99mph. A new evacuation order goes out to those in the affected areas as the blazes rapidly spread, scorching and destroying thousands of acres that contain homes and businesses.
9 January
Prison inmates deployed to help fight fires
Hundreds of incarcerated men and women were deployed to help fight the growing wildfires, with the number of inmates at the frontline standing at 939, the BBC reports.
This practice isn't uncommon in California, as it is one of 14 US states that uses inmates to help fight fires. Inmates aren't forced to take part and do so on their own accord, with it being reported they are being paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day.
However, inmates with certain convictions - such as arson and sexual offences - aren't eligible to volunteer.
10 January
Man arrested for arson
Three days on from the first fire igniting, the LAPD make an arrest after local residents claim that a man on a bike carrying a large blow torch had been trying to set bins and old Christmas trees on fire.
Authorities believe the Kenneth Fire was started intentionally, with the man believed to be responsible being held in custody.
Billion dollar energy company investigated over possible link to wildfires
Southern California Edison, a subsidiary of energy giant Edison International, admitted that its grid experienced a short circuit issue on 7th January, the evening the first fires broke out.
"On January 10, Southern California Edison (SCE) filed an Electric Safety Incident Report (ESIR) related to the Hurst Fire once SCE learned fire agencies are investigating whether SCE equipment was involved in the ignition, which is a triggering event for reporting," Edison International said in a press release.
"SCE noted that the fire was reported at approximately 10:10pm on 7 January, and preliminary information reflects the Eagle Rock - Sylmar 220 kV circuit experienced a relay at 10:11pm. A downed powerline was discovered at a tower associated with the Eagle Rock - Sylmar 220 kV circuit. SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire."
A-list celebrities forced out of their homes
A number of celebrities have been forced to evacuate their homes, many of which have been destroyed. This includes the likes of Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal and Eugene Levy.
13 January
40,000 acres of land destroyed
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, more than 40,000 acres have been burned in the Eaton, Palisades, Kenneth and Hurst fires.
Homes and businesses are among the more than 12,000 structures that have been destroyed.
14 January
LA mayor expedites rebuilding orders
Karen Bass, Los Angeles' mayor, issued an executive order on Monday evening 'will expedite the rebuilding of homes, businesses and communities' destroyed by the wildfires.
Death toll rises
As of 14 January, 25 people are confirmed to have lost their lives due do the fire.
Topics: US News, News, Weather, Climate Change
Ella Scott