Extreme heat, wind affecting firefighters battling Pacific Palisades wildfire
Extreme heat, wind affecting firefighters battling Pacific Palisades wildfire
by Josh Cain
Los Angeles firefighters were still battling a small-but-dangerous wildfire burning in Pacific Palisades, even as residents near Temescal Canyon were allowed to return to their homes.
In a briefing near the fire line Tuesday morning, Los Angeles Fire Department commanders said the fire remained at 40 acres burned.
On Monday, the fire swept across a steep hillside just east of Palisades Drive, with flames burning within feet of homes at the top of the ridge.
The terrain made surrounding the fire and putting it out difficult for firefighters on the ground, LAFD Capt. Tim Werle said. By Tuesday, containment of the fire – the percentage of the burned area that firefighters have dug hand lines around, preventing the fire’s progress – held at 10 percent.
Firefighters were expected to be in the area for the rest of the week as they mop up hot spots and continue trying to surround the fire.
Werle said that about 200 homes were evacuated after the fire ignited Monday morning at around 10:30 a.m. By Monday night, all of those residents were allowed to return home.
But firefighters warned residents that an increase in winds could kick up embers still smoldering in the burned area, potentially igniting more fires.
As soon as Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said Santa Ana winds could produce gusts, on Thursday, between 40 and 60 mph.
Extreme heat was also expected this week, with firefighters facing temperatures between 91 and 96 degrees.
All credit goes to Josh Cain
Originally published on https://www.dailynews.com