A recent analysis indicates that the devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles may have reignited from a previous brush fire sparked by New Year’s Eve fireworks. The blaze, which erupted on January 7, has consumed 23,713 acres and is only 13% contained, while the earlier Lachman Fire was extinguished a week prior. Local residents report slower fire response times during the Palisades Fire compared to the New Year’s event. With widespread destruction and a rising death toll of 24, concerns about wind-driven fire conditions persist, prompting ongoing investigations into the connection between the two fires and their causes.
A shocking analysis reveals that Los Angeles’ devastating Palisades fire may have been started by a flare-up of the New Year’s Eve fire.
Evidence reviewed by The Washington Post suggests that the Palisades blaze started in the same area firefighters fought a week earlier, and residents say they are not sure how to respond a second time. They claim it was much slower.
The Palisades Fire, the largest of the three fires to hit Los Angeles, broke out on January 7 and has burned 23,713 acres and was only 13 percent contained as of Sunday.
A week before the blaze, firefighters were called to the Pacific Palisades just after midnight on New Year’s Day to fight a small brush fire that residents said was started by fireworks.
The blaze, known as the Lachman Fire, was reported to be 8 acres and under control at 4:46 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Satellite images obtained by The Post show burn scars from the New Year’s Eve fire. Additional images taken Tuesday of the Palisades Fire show the source of the smoke overlapping the burn scar.
Shocking evidence has emerged as the death toll rises to 24 and locals are warned to prepare for “life-threatening” winds that could fuel the fires.
Meteorologist Rose Schoenfield warned: “The general duration of this event does not look good.”
Evidence suggests the massive Palisades fire started in the same location firefighters extinguished it a week earlier. (Photo: Smoke plumes rising from the Palisades fire.)
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone said officials would not consider allowing evacuees to return until the alert is lifted.
This weather could lead to another round of dangerous and potentially extreme fires, exacerbating already burning fires and potentially starting new ones.
“It’s very important that the community understands that these wind-related disasters are on the horizon,” said Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.
Due to these conditions, a Red Flag Warning has been issued until 6pm on Wednesday.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone said officials would not consider allowing evacuated residents to return until the alert is lifted.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, but promised to conduct a thorough investigation and warn the public.
The similarities and closeness between the current burning Palisades inferno and the New Year’s Day fires in the same area have raised questions about whether there is an obvious link between the two.
Michael Gollner, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, told the Washington Post that even if a fire appears to be out, it can still reignite.
“We know that fires can rekindle and go from smoldering to burning,” she says.
The Palisades Fire, the largest of three fires to hit Los Angeles, broke out on January 7 and has burned 23,713 acres and is only 11 percent contained.
Weather warnings prevent local residents from returning to their homes to check on the damage.
Dozens of people remain missing as evacuees locked out of suburbs return to their homes and wait anxiously to find out what is left of them.
“It’s certainly possible that something flared up within a week of the previous fire and caused the ignition.”
LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart told the San Francisco Chronicle that crews remained at the scene of the New Year’s Eve fire to prevent it from reigniting.
“Crews were on site all day sweeping and checking for smoldering material,” Stewart said.
“We use hand tools to dig up the soil, we use water, we use foam, we use heavy equipment to bulldoze around the soil.
However, Los Angeles Fire Department radio communications obtained by The Washington Post suggest that dispatchers were discussing where to fire again.
“The fire originated very close to where the last fire occurred on New Year’s Eve,” Los Angeles County firefighters said.
Another source said, “It looks like it’s going to go well.”
Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley was asked directly Sunday afternoon about the similarities and the possibility that one fire started another.
Residents claim firefighters were slower to respond to the Palisades fire than the New Year’s Eve fire.
This weather could lead to another round of dangerous and potentially extreme fires, exacerbating already burning fires and potentially starting new ones.
“We have no information that there is any connection, but it’s good to bring in outside resources to look into all the details,” Crowley said.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell assured the public that a concerted effort was underway to determine the root cause of each of the fires, which were the deadliest in the city’s history.
Resident Michelle Valentine said the response to the New Year incident was swift and impressive.
But a week later, Valentine said the fire had been burning for about 45 minutes and there was no water when she finally saw a helicopter pass overhead.
“For a long time, we didn’t see any police or firefighters on the ground or in the air,” Valentine said.
“It was disappointing because the second fire moved so fast and there was no one there.”
Jacob Bendix, professor emeritus of geography and the environment at Syracuse University, told the newspaper that evidence suggests the fire may have been reignited.
“The evidence here indicates that debris from the earlier Luckman fire is at least likely to have started the Palisades fire,” Bendix said.
Los Angeles Fire Department radio transmissions obtained by The Washington Post suggest dispatchers discussed where to fire again.
“The passage of time reduces the likelihood of restarting, but it does not make restarting unrealistic, especially if there is no precipitation.”
Photos taken by Palisades residents and obtained by the Chronicle also show two fires in the same location.
“Looking at the two photos, I agree that it looks like the two fires are overlapping, but you can’t see the other side of the ridge so it’s hard to say for sure,” said the former Cal Fire deputy chief. Ta. Alan Carlson said. “Wind direction appears to be consistent with a possible flare-up of the initial fire.
“We believe that the 8-acre fire with that type of fuel could also reignite. High winds are consistent with hot material being blown across control lines.”
Officials are still determining the cause of the New Year’s Eve fire, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives saying it is “taking the lead in determining the source and cause of the Pacific Palisades Fire.”
California wildfires have killed at least 24 people and destroyed an estimated 40,300 acres and 12,300 homes and other structures. They caused staggering losses of over $135 billion and forced the evacuation of 180,000 people.
The Palisades Fire is the largest of the Los Angeles wildfires, burning 23,713 acres, while the Eaton Fire in Pasadena is the deadliest, burning 14,117 acres and killing 16 people.
Gov. Gavin Newsom came under fire Sunday in a car crash interview as he tried to shift blame for the Los Angeles fires.
California wildfires have killed at least 16 people and destroyed an estimated 40,300 acres of land, 12,300 homes and other structures.
It also caused approximately $57 billion in economic damage and forced the evacuation of 180,000 people.
A fire truck runs in front of a mobile home park destroyed by the Palisades fire.
Mr. Newsom, wearing jeans instead of a black button-down, spoke with his hands throughout the 18-minute conversation in Altadena, an area affected by the Eaton fire.
He often clapped and made large gestures as he answered questions about the devastating blaze, now one of the deadliest in the city’s history.
The California governor also suggested that a failing LA water system was to blame for the crisis, but insisted he was not trying to blame anyone in particular for the death and destruction.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been accused of grinning in her latest “tone-deaf” video in response to Los Angeles’ devastating fires.
Ms Bass faces intense backlash after posting a video message about the city’s historic inferno, in which she appeared to smile and discuss the “unbearable loss” of residents. .
The controversial clip showed a rather tiny bus delivering what was supposed to be a somber message about the devastating and violent crisis gripping her city.
“To all of you, all of you, who have experienced loss, grief, anger, sheer shock, I have seen the devastation and it is unbelievable,” Bass said, smiling occasionally during his speech. spoke. The amount of loss people have experienced.
