Winds and arsonists complicate firefighting in Los Angeles; firefighters say they are moving forward

Firefighters reported significant progress Wednesday in battling two massive fires burning around Los Angeles, while also extinguishing other smaller ones set by arsonists in recent days, as a latest round of windy fire-friendly weather swept through Southern California.

With winds intensifying again, much of the second-most populous metropolitan region in the United States remained on alert for new outbreaks and revivals of fires that have killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

Gusts reached 80 kilometers per hour in the mountains, but in many areas they were relatively mild late in the morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The improved conditions expected in the coming days should help fire crews make further progress and allow residents to return to their neighborhoods to begin rebuilding.

However, firefighters and police faced new challenges. Since the start of the fire outbreak last week, authorities have arrested about half a dozen people accused of starting new small fires that were quickly put out.

One suspect admitted to starting a fire in a tree “because he liked the smell of burning leaves,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said. Another person claimed he “enjoyed causing chaos and destruction,” McDonnell said Wednesday.

Authorities have not determined a cause for any of the major fires that are on track to become the nation’s costliest fire disaster.

Milder winds on Tuesday allowed firefighters to make progress on the two most destructive fires. Nearly half of the Eaton Fire, north of Los Angeles, was contained, and one-fifth of the fire that destroyed much of the coastal Pacific Palisades neighborhood was fenced off.

Both fires started on Jan. 7 under conditions similar to those expected on Wednesday, although winds were higher last week as they pushed the flames at remarkable speed and carried embers that spark fires sometimes miles away.

The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings, which are issued when temperatures are warm, humidity is low and strong winds are expected, through Wednesday afternoon from the Central Coast area to the Mexican border.

Los Angeles officials vowed to do everything they can to help people recover and rebuild. But Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged there is no way to replace much of what has been lost.

“You have lost memories, family. “All the experiences that took place there are gone, and gone unexpectedly, gone quickly,” Bass said.

This week, the mayor issued an executive order to cut through red tape and allow people to live in tiny homes and trailers while they rebuild.

About 30 people remain missing, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Wednesday.

Officers have searched more than 5,500 properties for victims of the Eaton fire and hope to finish in that area on Thursday, he said.

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