Any New Blaze Could 'Explode' In Size Amid Peak Wind Warnings: LA Fires

LOS ANGELES, CA — As the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage Tuesday amid the impending threat of more dangerous winds, President Joe Biden announced that wildfire victims will receive $770 one-time payments from the federal government.

According to Biden, $5.1 million has been delivered to almost 6,000 survivors who have registered for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Critical Needs Assistance Program. Victims of the fires can apply for assistance through the FEMA mobile app, DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

Millions of people across Southern California faced frightening new wildfire warnings Tuesday afternoon and tens of thousands saw their power shut off as strong winds blew across the parched landscape around Los Angeles where two massive blazes have been burning for a week.

Overnight going into Tuesday, firefighters inched up containment lines on the most critical fires in Los Angeles overnight, but crews, in larger numbers this time, are bracing for a third round of severe fire risk expected to peak Tuesday.

"Life-threatening and destructive winds are already here," LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said at 8 a.m. Tuesday. "Danger has not yet passed."

Angelenos, weary and anxious from a week of massive infernos burning are now facing dire new warnings. Residents were told to gather up their pets and family photos and be prepared to flee at a moment's notice.

Beneath 2025's first full moon, dry winds lashed the region before dawn on Tuesday up to 50 miles per hour in the mountains around LA, said meteorologist Todd Hall of the National Weather Service. Strong winds forecasted to continue through midday Wednesday could carry fire-sparking embers miles ahead of the fire lines or even trigger fire tornadoes, he said.

"The worst winds are predicted today into Wednesday," Anthony Marrone, LA County Fire Chief said Tuesday morning.

How Big Are The LA Fires? Use This Tool To Overlay Them Atop Where You Live

The dangerous winds predicted to reach near hurricane-force in some areas, were likely to peak on Tuesday. A beefed-up firefighting force was staged to attack flareups or new blazes, a week after the first still-burning fires began and destroyed some 12,000 structures and killed at least 24 people.

Urgent warnings were issued from the Santa Clarita Valley to Malibu and the Pacific Palisades areas.

"Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive," National Weather Service forecasters said on Tuesday.

A new wind-driven blaze, the Auto Fire, ignited in Ventura County late Monday and scorched just under 60 acres. The flames have been contained but the fire remained at 0% containment going into Tuesday.

Dozens have been arrested since the fires broke out one week ago. Nine people have been charged with looting, including a group that stole an Emmy award from a house that had been evacuated, said LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. Another pair pilfered more than $200,000 worth of items in a neighborhood filled with mansions, he said.

At least 12,000 structures have been leveled since the fires began one week ago. In the coastal Pacific Palisades and Malibu areas where the largest fire is still burning, median home values are over $2 million, AccuWeather reported.

Almost all of Altadena remains closed — an unincorporated community that is home to some 42,000 people — amid toxic debris, downed trees and power lines. It's unclear how extensive the damage is in Altadena, where whole corridors were leveled.

As of 2 p.m., here's the latest on the SoCal fire crisis:

• The Palisades Fire is now 18% contained with 23,713 acres burned. READ LATEST. 5,100 personnel are working the fire.
• The Eaton Fire is now 35% contained with 14,117 acres burned. READ LATEST.
• 24 active missing-person cases relating to the fires — 16 in the Eaton Fire area and six in the Malibu area.
• LA Mayor Karen Bass said the city will make 1,200 housing units available "in the next week or so" for displaced people, she said during a news briefing.
• AccuWeather has doubled its preliminary estimate of the total wildfire damage and economic loss to between $250 billion and $275 billion.
• The new Auto Fire in Ventura County has burned 58 acres with 25% containment.
• 39 arrests have been made by sheriff's deputies amid curfew violations, unauthorized drone flights, looting and possession of a deadly weapon.
• A third round of extreme fire weather is expected for LA, Ventura counties Tuesday with winds expected to gust up to 65 mph in some areas. Residents urged to watch for falling trees and debris.
• Maximum gusts recorded since Monday included 72 mph in the mountains north of San Fernando.
• An air quality alert was active for parts of SoCal and residents are urged to avoid outdoor activity in areas affected by windblown dust and ash.
• Firefighters camp overnight and get meals at the Rose Bowl. Talk show host Jay Leno was among those serving meals to crews at the famed venue.
• The Hurst Fire is now 97% contained, 799 acres burned.
• On Monday, 1 man was charged with arson while 9 others face looting charges, LA DA Nathan Hochman announced. READ LATEST.
• California authorities have issued a stern warning against price gouging and have opened a line at 311 for consumers to report landlords and business owners for raising prices over 10%.
• What a handful of experts and fire officials had to say about the effects of brush management on the Palisades Fire: READ LATEST.
• People impacted by the Eaton Fire are suing SCE, alleging the utility company failed to de-energize electrical equipment despite warnings. READ LATEST.

Contaminated drinking water has become another growing concern for cities battling the two largest fires as several utilities have declared their water unsafe to drink.

Toxic chemicals from recent fires can get into damaged drinking water systems, and even filtering or boiling won’t help, experts say.

Last week, Pasadena Water and Power issued a “Do Not Drink” notice to about a third of its customers for the first time since it began distributing water more than a century ago. With at least one burned pump, several damaged storage tanks, and burned homes, they knew there was a chance toxic chemicals had entered their pipes.

“Out of the abundance of caution, you kind of have to assume the worst," said Stacie Takeguchi, chief assistant general manager for the utility.

Tabitha Trosen told the Associated Press that she had packed the meaningful things in her life and was “teetering” on the edge, constantly fearing her neighborhood could be next.

“Our cats are ready to go, we have their carriers by the door prepped with their little stuffed animals and things like that,” Trosen said. “It’s like, how do I take care of myself, and what are the things that will ground me as a human and remind me of my background and my life and my family.”

Much of the Southland was under an elevated fire risk again on Tuesday — affecting more than 20 million people from San Diego to far north of Los Angeles.

What's more, some 450,000 people in Southern California are at risk of having their power shut off amid safety concerns.

"Please take this moment now to charge your phones, your batteries and devices," LA Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said on Tuesday morning.

READ MORE:

• Lack Of Brush Clearance Questioned As Palisades Fire Rages: Report
• 1 Charged With Arson, 9 With Looting In Devastating LA Fires
• Fire Victims Sue SCE: 'Quit Lighting The 5th Largest Economy On Fire'
• FireAid Benefit Concert Aims To Support LA Wildfire Victims
• Palisades Fire Likely Had 'Human Origins:' Report
• Palisades Fire Acreage Holds As Crews Increase Containment To 17%

Right in the bullseye are inland areas north of LA, including densely populated Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley, forecasters said.

The weather service issued a rare warning: The winds, combined with severely dry conditions, have created such a “particularly dangerous situation” that any new fire could explode in size.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials — who have faced criticism over their initial response to fires that began last week — expressed confidence Monday that the region was ready to face the new threat with scores of additional firefighters brought in from around the U.S., as well as Canada and Mexico.

“We’re absolutely better prepared,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said when asked what will be different from a week ago, when hurricane-force winds propelled multiple fires across the parched, brush-filled region that has seen almost no rain in more than eight months.

Although winds were not expected to be as strong as last week, they could ground firefighting aircraft, Marrone said, warning if winds reach 70 mph, “it’s going to be very difficult to contain that fire.”