After Nine Days of Devastation, LA Firefighters Are Gaining Ground 

United States: After nine days of relentless battling, firefighters in Los Angeles are finally getting a break. The fierce hurricane-strength winds which hereby fueled the flames and complicated rescue efforts have weakened, offering some relief. With progress made on containing the two massive fires that have scorched almost 40,000 acres, there’s hope that the worst may be over. 

As reported by the BBC, over 25 people have been burned alive and over 12000 structures brought down in some of the worst fires to ravage the second largest city in America.And the two largest fires, Eaton, and Palisades, are now still out of control after more than a week – and both have requested international assistance from Mexico and Canada. 

The NWS has withdrawn the red flag warnings but could be hoisted in the next few days” Tonight and tomorrow will be a big improvement, but there will still be some issues,” said Ryan Kittell of the NWS to news agency AFP. 

Fire alerts remain high with some regions in southern California still at a high risk, despite a reduced wind speed and increased humidity, notes BBC Weather meteorologist Paul Goddard. In the following week there is no chance of rain in California. 

Officials are also watching out for the Santa Ana winds which as widely believed played a role in ignition of the fires. Winds are expected to come back on early next week with high probability of more red flag warnings. 

Wind was expected to raise speeds to 30-50 mph (48-80 km/h). 

The Palisades Fire, that grew more significant than the other fires, has not experienced any of the fire growth as firefighters continue to ensure fire line is put in place, as stated by Jim Hudson, a Cal Fire incident manager. 

It has burned 24,000 acres. More than 20% has been contained up to Thursday morning. “There are extreme hazards and extreme heat that still exist on the outside and the inside of this fire,” Mr Hudson stated at a news briefing in Malibu on Wednesday. 

Mr Hudson further said that 5,100 personnel had been deployed to help put out the fire. 

“Moving forward as they plan to do, containment will be increased when it feels appropriate and that appropriateness is predicated on the protection of both life and property as well as containment of fire growth as well” , he added.