The U.S. military stands ready to assist in combatting the wildfires that continue to ravage Los Angeles, as confirmed by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell on Sunday. With strong winds predicted to exacerbate the situation, the Palisades fire remains only 11% contained, while the Eaton fire has reached 27% containment. California Governor Gavin Newsom warned that the next 48 hours could see wind speeds over 50 miles per hour, potentially spreading the fires further.
FEMA's Criswell emphasized the precarious nature of the situation during her appearance on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," noting that Los Angeles remains in a "dangerous situation." Criswell highlighted her concerns regarding the potential for new flare-ups in different locations, prompting the U.S. military to issue a "prepare to deploy" order. In response, 500 active-duty Marines and 10 Naval helicopters are being strategically pre-positioned across various counties and farther south to address anticipated fire outbreaks.
Governor Newsom stressed the impact of the strong winds on firefighting efforts, stating:
"The challenge is the winds. We've got these winds coming back this evening, Sunday night. We've got peak winds on Monday. We're going to see 50-plus mile-an-hour gusts, subject to change," – Gavin Newsom
The difficult weather conditions have necessitated strategic decisions about resource allocation. Criswell expressed a preference for relying on incident commanders who understand the specific needs and strategies required to tackle the fires effectively. She further elaborated:
"We have to make sure that it's safe. And, you know, you can only have so much aircraft in the space. And so, they would have the specifics about the strategies that they're using, but we want to make sure that we're not late to need, and if they have that need, they can move them in." – Deanne Criswell
The situation's complexity is heightened by the fires' proximity to populated areas, complicating efforts to secure perimeters and safeguard homes. Criswell remarked on the unprecedented nature of the conditions:
"they have never seen 100-mile-an-hour winds that are fueling the fire, and those winds and that weather condition is what really impacts … where this fire is going to go." – Deanne Criswell
Governor Newsom echoed these concerns about the shifting dynamics of the fire due to changing winds:
"These winds change the dynamics of this fire, and so I'm concerned for the safety of our firefighters, concerned for their ability to continue to contain this fire, and I want people to make sure that they are listening closely to what local officials are saying, so they can stay safe and they can stay out of harm's way," – Deanne Criswell
As the red flag warnings have been reissued, Criswell advised residents of affected areas against returning home prematurely. She underscored the unpredictable nature of wind patterns, stating:
"I know that so many people probably want to get back into the area and check on their homes, but with the winds picking back up, it's just, you never know which way they're going to go," – Deanne Criswell
Local authorities continue to coordinate efforts with federal agencies to ensure a timely response as conditions evolve. The focus remains on strategically deploying resources where they are most needed, with the overarching goal of maximizing safety for residents and firefighters alike.
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