Dangerous winds threaten Southern California as firefighters bat down new wildfires

by Chris Boyette and Mary Gilbert
January 21, 2025

Firefighters battle the Lilac Fire along Interstate 15 near the Bonsall community of San Diego County, California, on Tuesday. Noah Berger/AP

Santa Ana winds are whipping Southern California on Tuesday, sparking fresh fears that progress made fighting wildfires that have scorched over 40,000 acres and left 28 dead could be reversed and more blazes could break out.

New wildfires have flared in San Diego County, but fire activity has already decreased significantly in the 80-acre Lilac Fire, which is now 10% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Pala Fire was stopped at 17 acres, authorities reported Tuesday, and evacuation orders were lifted, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said.

Another wildfire briefly broke out near the famed Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Monday, but firefighters quickly put it out, with no damage to nearby structures.

Small fires in the Granada Hills and Tujunga neighborhoods of LA were stopped before any homes were damaged or destroyed, and no evacuation orders were issued, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said Tuesday.

The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, which has burned 23,713 acres, was 63% contained, and LA’s Eaton Fire was 89% contained at 14,021 acres as of Tuesday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

Since the latest wind event began, hurricane-force gusts of 74 mph or more have roared over the region’s mountains and valleys.

Sill Hill, in the San Diego County Mountains, saw 102 mph gusts and Magic Mountain in Angeles National Forest, in the San Gabriel Mountains, had 88 mph gusts.

The potent Santa Ana winds will calm down later Tuesday, but winds will still be gusty at times through Thursday afternoon. These gusts, combined with continued dry conditions, will keep fire weather risks elevated.

A “particularly dangerous situation” warning has expired but red flag warnings remain in effect until 10 p.m. PT Tuesday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a windblown dust and ash advisory through Tuesday at 10 p.m. PT due to the strong winds and the particles left behind by the fires potentially impacting air quality throughout the county.