The Palisades Fire: Sports and the Los Angeles Lakers after a Super-Fire on Monday night in Ventura, Calif.
A new fire broke out in Southern California on Monday night, adding to the string of fires there in the past week that has left more than 20 people dead and hundreds of thousands under evacuation orders.
Ventura County is about 100 miles west of Los Angeles County, where authorities are still working to contain three major fires: Hurst, Palisades and Eaton.
There are gusts of up to 70 miles per hour possible in Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Wednesday, when the NWS expects winds to peak at 4 a.m.
The environment is forecast to remain extremely dangerous and favorable to very rapid-fire growth if a fire starts, even as winds are forecast to fluctuate over the next 48 hours.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office said that the deaths of 21 people had been confirmed Monday night. As of Sunday evening, the LA County Medical Examiner was investigating 24 deaths.
The public can’t enter the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountain National Monument through midnight on Sunday due to critical fire danger.
Sports are also giving support. All 12 of LA’s professional teams have pledged to donate $8 million to wildfire victims and first responders.
“It’s our job to go give strength, and give hope and give joy,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick, who lost his home in the Palisades Fire. “Sports are a lot of things and sports can certainly provide an escape and a distraction and hopefully sports, and tonight, can provide some joy as well.”
LA teams were affected by fires last week which caused the postponement of several games. The season resumed on Monday for the Clippers and Lakers.
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Beyoncé postponed a much-anticipated announcement originally scheduled for Tuesday, citing the devastation of the wildfires and donating $2.5 million to relief funds.
The Academy Awards nominations were supposed to be announced on Friday but have been delayed a second time. The fires have affected Hollywood stars and halted film production, according to NPR.
Most of the schools and offices of the Los Angeles Unified School District reopened — with limited outdoor and athletic activities — on Monday, though some schools in hard-hit areas remain closed.
It is asking customers in high-risk areas to make sure that they have a portable charging station, flashlight and extra batteries with them, if there is a chance of an all-out power cut.
Authorities are warning residents to monitor emergency alerts and take precautions to avoid starting any fires. Those include not using lawnmowers on dry vegetation, ensuring trailer chains do not drag on the ground and never throwing cigarettes or matches out of a vehicle.
Additional steps could also be taken by the county. The LA Department of Water and Power said Monday that local fire authorities may ask it to “de-energize power lines as a preventative measure” in certain areas while the red flag warning is in effect.
Two smaller areas within Ventura and LA counties are considered to be in a very dangerous situation, the most extreme level of red flag warning. It has preceded some of the most destructive blazes.
There is a high risk of rapid fire growth if the red flag warnings are not lifted by Wednesday.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department has been working diligently to contain the multiple fires that have struck the county for the past week, but forecasters warn of extreme fire danger.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said that there has been no increase in the number of acres burned over the last two days.
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LAist reports that the winds on Tuesday were lighter than expected, despite the fact that the meteorologists had called for strong winds.
The destruction was massive. Bass said it is unimaginable if you actually see it. Even so, she said, it was time “to begin to think about how we rebuild.”
Canada, the U.S., and Mexico joined forces to help Southern California after the fires broke out last week. “Yesterday, I also had the opportunity to meet with our international partners from Mexico to express our heartfelt gratitude for their assistance. The LA Fire chief commented that the amount of support from both the near and far is incredible.