Winnipeg Free Press

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Ministry of Forests says a team of 22 crew members and one agency representative left for Los Angeles on Monday in addition to a dozen technical specialists who ar- rived in Los Angeles on the weekend. The statement says the technical staff, who spe- cialize in advanced planning, logistics, aviation and fire weather, are expected to be in the United States for at least two weeks. The Alberta government says 40 wildland fire- fighters and two agency representatives also left Monday for California. Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen says firefighters are expected to be on the ground within the next few days and will stay for at least two weeks. Loewen says additional resources like water bombers, night-vision helicopters and more fire- fighters could be deployed if requested. “Good neighbours are always there for each other,” he says, adding that Alberta is ready to return the favour after 115 firefighters from Cal- ifornia came to help during the province’s rec- ord-breaking 2023 wildfire season. “In 2023, California firefighters bravely sup- ported Alberta in a time of great need,” he told reporters. “Now Alberta is answering the call and step- ping up to support our friends and partners in the United States.” — The Canadian Press Understanding the high winds that have worsened wildfires HIGH winds have been a key ingredient of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, and after a brief lull at the end of last week they are fore- cast to intensify through the middle of this week. That’s certain to complicate the fight against blaz- es that have killed at least 24 people, incinerated thousands of buildings and are likely to be one of the costliest natural disasters ever in the U.S. Here’s a deeper look at the science behind wind, including what it is, what causes it and how it be- haves in the geography around Southern Califor- nia. What is wind? It’s the movement of air that results from dif- ferences in atmospheric pressure across a land- scape. The greater the pressure differences, the stronger the winds. Topography matters, too — treeless mountain peaks are typically windier without those trees, or buildings, to slow the winds. And different parts of Earth — water and land — heat from sun- light at different rates, which shapes wind. What are Santa Ana winds? Southern California’s winds typically flow on- shore from the Pacific, carrying moist air onto land. The Santa Ana winds are warm currents that move in the opposite direction. They typical- ly occur from September through May, and are so dry that they’re linked with some of the worst wildfires the region has ever seen, in part be- cause the lack of humidity in the air contributes to vegetation quickly drying. How does Southern California’s geography affect wind? When the wind rushes into Southern Califor- nia from the northeast, as it does during a Santa Ana, it’s coming from Nevada and western Utah, over and between the mountains in between. High pressure over those states, combined with a low-pressure system in Mexico, results in air funnelling rapidly along those mountain passes or climbing up and over peaks like a roller coaster, picking up speed as it goes. Where wildfires are burning, those winds con- tribute to the fires’ speed and erratic movement since air pressure is so much more variable in mountainous terrain compared to flat land. Is climate change affecting winds? Alex DaSilva, a meteorologist at AccuWeather, said it’s difficult to make a connection between cli- mate change and the Santa Ana winds. But he did note that research shows drought conditions will worsen in the future along with climate change, which means increased fire risk from high winds. Victor Gensini, a Northern Illinois University climate scientist, was more emphatic. “There is no established link between these types of winds causing wildfires and climate change,” Gensini said in an email. — The Associated Press ISABELLA O’MALLEY Powerful gusts threaten progress made against massive fires that have killed dozens, destroyed thousands of homes Fierce winds forecast to return in L.A. area L OS ANGELES — Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters arrived at the Los Angeles area on Monday ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threat- en the progress made so far on two massive infernos that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people. Planes doused homes and hillsides with bright pink fire-retardant chem- icals, while crews and fire engines were being placed near particularly vulnerable spots with dry brush. Doz- ens of water trucks rolled in to replen- ish supplies after hydrants ran dry last week when the two largest fires erupted. Tabitha Trosen said she and her boy- friend feel like they are “teetering” on the edge with the constant fear that their neighbourhood could be the next under threat. “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, add- ing that she keeps adding things as she thinks about what she could lose. “It’s like, how do I take care of my- self, and what are the things that will ground me as a human and remind me of my background and my life and my family.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials — who have faced criti- cism over their initial response to fires that began last week — expressed con- fidence Monday that the region was ready to face the new threat with addi- tional firefighters brought in from around the U.S., as well as Canada and Mexico. “We’re absolutely better prepared,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony Mar- rone said when asked what will be different from a week ago, when hur- ricane-force winds propelled multiple fires across the parched, brush-filled region that hasn’t seen rain in more than eight months. The winds are predicted to pick up late Monday into early Tuesday, but they are not expected to reach hurri- cane-force like last week. However, they could ground firefighting air- craft, Marrone said, warning if winds reach 70 m.p.h. (112 km/h), “it’s going to be very difficult to contain that fire.” Fire officials advised residents in high-risk areas to just leave home — and not wait for formal evacuation or- ders — if they sense danger. That’s exactly what Tim Kang of La Crescenta did last Wednesday. Feeling sick from the smoky air and fearful of nearby fires spreading, Kang and his brothers packed up and have stayed away from their neighbourhood. “Everything just felt like, ‘Oh man, the world’s ending,’” said Kang, who’s staying with his girlfriend in Pasa- dena. In less than a week, four fires around the nation’s second-biggest city have scorched more than 62 square miles, roughly three times the size of Man- hattan. The National Weather Service warned the weather will be “particu- larly dangerous” on Tuesday, when wind gusts could reach 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). A large part of Southern Cal- ifornia around Los Angeles is under this extreme fire danger warning through Wednesday, including densely populated Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena is roughly one-third contained, while the largest blaze in Pacific Palisades on the coast is far less contained. The death toll is likely to rise, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday. At least two dozen were missing, he said. Luna said he understands that people are eager to return to their homes and neighbourhoods to survey the damage, but he asked for their patience. “We have people literally looking for the remains of your neigh- bours,” he said. The slower winds over the weekend allowed some people to return to pre- viously evacuated areas. Many had no idea if their homes or neighbourhoods were still standing. Jim Orlandini, who lost his hard- ware store in Altadena, a hard-hit neighbourhood next to Pasadena, said his home of 40 years survived. “The whole time I was thinking, I don’t know what I’m going to find when I get back here and after 40 years, you know, you got a lot of stuff you forget about that would disappear if the house burned down. So we’re thankful that it didn’t.” LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to stay away from burned neighbourhoods filled with broken gas lines and unstable buildings. Just under 100,000 in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation or- ders, half the number from last week. Firefighters over the weekend fought flames in Mandeville Can- yon — home to Arnold Schwarzeneg- ger and other celebrities — after the Palisades Fire spread, prompting new evacuation orders. Crews con- tinued battling there Monday before potentially strong winds could push the flames toward the famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles. Beyoncé, Disney and other celebri- ties and entertainment organizations have pledged millions to help those who have been displaced or lost their homes. Other stars — and ordinary people — have left large donations of clothing and other items along street corners in and around the city. Dozens of people have been arrested for looting after the wildfires. Offi- cials are now starting to see price gou- ging and scams, including with hotels and short-term rentals and medical supplies, said Los Angeles County Dis- trict Attorney Nathan Hochman. The fires that began Tuesday north of downtown LA have burned more than 12,000 homes, cars and other structures. Authorities haven’t determined an official cause for any of the fires. Southern California Edison has ac- knowledged agencies are investigat- ing whether its equipment may have started a smaller blaze. A lawsuit filed Monday claims the utility’s equipment sparked the much bigger Eaton Fire. Edison did not re- spond to a request for comment and last week said it had not received any suggestions that its equipment ignited that blaze. AccuWeather’s early estimates sug- gest the fires could be the nation’s costliest ever, topping US$250 billion including what’s to come in the next days. The reconstruction cost for com- mercial and residential properties in- side areas with active fires could be US$14.8 billion, according to real es- tate data tracker CoreLogic. — The Associated Press CHRISTOPHER WEBER, JULIE WATSON AND JOHN SEEWER NOAH BERGER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS An air tanker drops flame retardant while working to contain the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Monday. ;