Al Jazeera :
Firefighters are battling several blazes in the Los Angeles area as US officials urged residents to prepare for the return of strong winds that could “potentially cause explosive fire growth”.
Authorities say progress is being made to contain the major Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires, which have killed at least 24 people and destroyed more than 12,000 homes.
The containment efforts come as the National Weather Service issues a “red flag warning” for much of southern California, and warns Ventura and Los Angeles counties face “the extreme of extreme fire weather scenarios”.
Donald Trump has sharpened his criticism of California’s handling of the wildfires as California Governor Newsom urged the US president-elect to witness the damage in person.
More than a week into the wildfires in Los Angeles, the flames have already become the most destructive in the California county’s history and are on course to become among the deadliest ever in the state.
The fires have so far destroyed at least 12,300 structures and killed 24 people, according to local authorities. Officials are bracing for more strong winds that are expected to persist through Wednesday.
Three major wildfires continue to burn in the Los Angeles area with the Palisades fire – the first to erupt a week ago and the biggest – only 14 percent contained. Weather forecasters warn Santa Ana winds will continue to influence weather conditions until Wednesday evening.
