Weary Los Angeles firefighters brace for return of dangerous winds

Exhausted firefighters in Los Angeles prepared for more dangerous gusts on Sunday, as California battled wildfires that have claimed 27 lives. Governor criticised “hurricane-force winds of misinformation.” Two major fires, consuming nearly 40,000 acres and devastating parts of the city, are over half contained. Forecasters warn of critical conditions with gusts reaching 80 mph starting Monday.

The two largest fires, which have obliterated almost 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) and razed entire neighborhoods of the second biggest US city, were both now more than half contained, officials announced.

But the National Weather Service warned that powerful winds and very low humidity would again bring “dangerous high-end red flag fire weather conditions” from Monday, with potential gusts up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) per hour.

“This is the last… we hope, of the extreme” wind events, said Governor Gavin Newsom.

Weary Los Angeles firefighters brace for return of dangerous winds