Fires threaten more neighbourhoods as LA braces for high winds

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New wildfires in Los Angeles have forced evacuation orders for areas around upstate Brentwood and Bel Air, as the region braces for heavy winds that could create more problems for emergency responders battling multiple blazes across the county.

The death toll in the fire has risen to 11 as the crisis enters its fifth day. The Palisades fire, which started Tuesday morning, has burned 22,000 acres and is still only 11 percent contained, officials said.

The fire is considered the most damaging in LA history.

Helicopters dropped water Saturday over Mandeville Canyon, an exclusive area that is home to actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The evacuation order in Brentwood raised concerns about landmarks including the Getty Center, which houses an art collection that includes works by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Monet.

LA Mayor Karen Bass said the Palisades fire was “slowly contained” to about 11 percent contained. But he warned that the area is “most vulnerable” to dry, heavy Santa Ana winds that are expected to return Saturday afternoon. He urged residents not to try to “wait for the fire” and to evacuate immediately.

The National Weather Service warned that the latest wave of gusty winds would also hit coastal Topanga and Malibu canyons. It predicted more “event winds” between Monday night and Wednesday that could reach 60 to 70 miles per hour.

Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are trying to deflect criticism of the response to the fires. Firefighters in Pacific Palisade were dismayed to discover this week that hydrants were running out of water — a huge problem during high winds when helicopters and airplanes are used to drop water on fires. The city’s reserve tanks were quickly depleted as firefighters on the ground battled the blaze without air support.

Newsom said Friday that he has ordered an investigation into the cause of the water supply problem. Newsom called the problems “deeply troubling” and added that they “may have hampered efforts to protect some homes and evacuation corridors”.

The city’s water and power authority issued a statement saying claims that fire hydrants were dismantled before the fire broke out were “misleading and false”.

The LA Department of Water and Power said in a statement that the water pressure drop was due to “unprecedented and extreme water demand to fight the wildfire without aerial support.”

Firefighters from other US states and Mexico came to LA to assist more than 7,500 emergency workers from California. The National Guard has also been deployed on the palisades to protect the area from looters.

The city has imposed a 6pm to 12-hour curfew in areas under evacuation orders. “Not only do we have to protect ourselves from the fire, but we also have to make sure that nobody gets in there and tries to loot,” Bass said. About 20 people have been arrested so far.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said it will lead the investigation into the cause of the Pacific Palisades fire. The federal agency said fire investigators are on the scene.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the sunset fire, which threatened several landmarks, including the Hollywood Hills and the Hollywood Sign. They also extinguished the Lydia fire north of Los Angeles, while the other two are about 80 percent contained. Cal Fire.