Los Angeles Fires Approaching Full Containment Thanks to Cooler Weather

LOS ANGELES—As the major wildfires in the Los Angeles area are nearing full containment as of Wednesday, cooler and drier weather is expected to prevail for the upcoming days, with no immediate indications of dangerous Santa Ana winds or rain that could trigger debris flows.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service (NWS) reported that the high temperatures on Tuesday will be approximately 3 to 6 degrees below the seasonal average, followed by “chilly” overnight temperatures leading into Wednesday, which could result in more frost or freeze warnings in certain regions.

According to the NWS, cooler temperatures are projected to continue over the next several days, with daytime highs remaining below the norm for this time of year.

A warming trend is predicted by the weekend, gradually lifting temperatures into the 70s for many coastal and valley areas, attributed to a “weak offshore flow” from Saturday through Monday.

Forecasters have noted a possibility of some rainfall by the middle of next week, but it remains too early to determine if it will materialize and how intense the system might be.

As of Wednesday morning, the Eaton Fire, affecting the Altadena and Pasadena areas, was reported to be 99 percent contained after burning 14,021 acres, with repopulation initiatives already completed.

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The Palisades Fire was 96 percent contained after affecting 23,448 acres.

The Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake has consumed 10,425 acres since it ignited last Wednesday, but as of Wednesday, it was also 98 percent contained. Nearly all evacuation orders and warnings have been revoked for all three significant fires.

These fires have resulted in the tragic loss of 29 lives—12 within the Palisades Fire area and 17 in the Eaton Fire.

A curfew persists nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation regions, permitting entry only to firefighters, law enforcement, and utility personnel in those areas.

The sheriff’s department, alongside other law enforcement agencies, reported numerous arrests related to alleged looting, burglary, and curfew breaches since the onset of the fires in Altadena and the Palisades.

The county Department of Public Works is collaborating on fire-debris removal efforts with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is managing the first phase of hazardous waste removal, and the Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for overseeing the physical debris cleanup in the Palisades and Eaton burn regions.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are operational at UCLA Research Park West, 10850 W. Pico Blvd., and Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., to aid homeowners in applying for assistance. A new Disaster Recovery Center opened in Altadena on Monday, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., available to residents throughout the week. This center is located at 540 W. Woodbury Road. Both the Pasadena and Altadena centers will remain open until the end of January, but the Pasadena location will close on Saturday, with all services transitioning to Altadena.

FEMA is also running two additional centers to assist fire victims, including those affected by the Hurst, Sunset, and Hughes fires. These centers are located at Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center, operating from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; and Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

The causes of the Eaton and Palisades fires remain under investigation. Both fires ignited on January 7, coinciding with a red flag warning due to critical fire danger stemming from an unprecedented wind event that experienced gusts of 80 to 100 mph.

Over 16,000 structures have been destroyed in the two fires, as per the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Once all damages are evaluated, these fires are expected to be recognized as the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.