Fire-scarred LA area faces new gusts

As the fire-ravaged Los Angeles area braced for intense winds on Tuesday, criticism has mounted over the state of California's preparedness and response, while residents and volunteers have stepped up.

Those living in high-risk zones have voiced frustration over what they said were insufficient fire-prevention measures and delayed evacuations. Emergency shelters are at capacity.

"We've been here before, and it's devastating every time," an evacuee, John Allen, posted on social media. "We need better infrastructure, better prevention and faster responses. This can't keep happening."

The two biggest wildfires, the Palisades and Eaton, erupted last week, fueled by intense winds.

At least 24 people have died in the blazes since then, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The wildfires have destroyed or damaged more than 12,000 structures.

As of Monday, more than 92,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders — down from more than 150,000 — while a further 89,000 faced evacuation warnings.

Hurricane-force winds of 120 kilometers per hour were possible from early Tuesday, with gusts expected to continue through Wednesday, said David Roth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center.

More than 8,500 firefighters attacked the fires from the air and on the ground, preventing conflagrations at either end of Los Angeles from spreading overnight.

Possible factors

Investigations into the causes of the fires continue, with preliminary reports suggesting possible equipment failures or human activity as factors.

Experts have long warned that underfunding fire-prevention programs, delayed emergency responses, and insufficient resources in high-risk areas have compounded the devastation caused by wildfires.

Local organizations and volunteers have mobilized to support those in need.

Cai Chenghua, president of the All-American Chinese Association, said his organization is raising donations for the disaster-stricken communities. "Our efforts to spread love and support continue," Cai told China Daily.

Li Xiaoyan, president of the Southern California Chinese Women's Association and a regular volunteer distributing food every weekend in Monrovia and Arcadia, said that many of the volunteers themselves have been affected by the wildfires.

"Despite their own losses, they hold back their tears and continue to volunteer, dedicating themselves to helping those in even greater need," Li said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular news conference on Tuesday that Beijing mourns for the lives lost in the wildfires, and expresses sympathies to those who are injured, their families and those who have lost loved ones to the fire.

Agencies contributed to this story.

renali@chinadailyusa.com