A climate scientist who issued a life-saving warning about the Los Angeles wildfires has disclosed that he believes the danger is far from over.
Since January 2, eight wildfires have engulfed Los Angeles, resulting in the destruction of numerous homes and businesses. This has forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate, including several celebrities.
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed at least 24 fatalities, with 16 individuals still missing, potentially increasing this number, as reported by the BBC.
The situation is expected to worsen due to the return of the ‘devil winds’, or Santa Ana winds, which are expected to exacerbate the flames. Currently, four major fires continue to burn in Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst, according to LBC.
Edgar McGregor, a meteorologist from Altadena, has been hailed a local hero for potentially saving many lives by alerting people on social media before the fires began.
McGregor, aged 24, regularly shares hyper-local weather updates on his Facebook page, Altadena Weather and Climate. On January 7, he advised Los Angeles residents to remain vigilant and ready to evacuate.
In an interview with PEOPLE, McGregor stated: “I haven’t even been able to process that mentally.”
“I didn’t run into a burning building and get third-degree burns trying to save someone’s life. So people are sending me all these comments and I’m thinking to myself, I just did my job.”
The scientist identified the combination of Santa Ana winds and dry conditions as a recipe for disaster, explaining: “I knew on December 30th that when this windstorm hit, the conditions would be carbon copies of the conditions that were on the ground in Lahaina, Hawaii, and in Paradise, which both were completely leveled and lost around a hundred people each.”
“I told people, if a wildfire breaks out, there’ll be a thousand homes burned down. This would be cataclysmic.”
McGregor has shared his concern about potential disasters in Hollywood and Santa Barbara.
He told the outlet: “I think for the most part the immediate threat is over.”
“The next couple of windstorms are not going to be all that impressive, especially not compared to what we saw on Tuesday. But it still hasn’t rained.”
He warned: “So in the next couple of weeks, if we get another major windstorm, it could be Hollywood that faces disaster next. Santa Barbara. Any of these foothill towns. And then when it rains, we have the mudslides to get through.”
“What I’m saying is, this is not over yet.”
McGregor, who also cleans up trash in Eaton Canyon, noticed it was full of dry ‘fuel’ for wildfires, including dead trees. “I knew this was coming. I certainly didn’t think January was the month it would occur, but I hope that I did my job in warning everybody,” he added.
Ahead of the first wildfire, the US’ National Weather Service issued a warning of strong Santa Ana winds and extreme fire conditions.
A Fire Weather Watch and warnings from state and local officials followed, targeting the Los Angeles area.
The Palisades Fire triggered an emergency alert for LA residents to prepare for possible evacuation.
Later the same day, Santa Monica issued an Evacuation Order for areas north of San Vicente: “Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW.”
Hours after the first fire ignited, the Eaton Fire started in Altadena, Los Angeles.
Subsequently, the Hurst Fire broke out in the Sylmar area as the National Weather Service recorded 99mph gusts. New evacuation orders were issued as the fires rapidly spread, destroying thousands of acres of land housing homes and businesses.
Hundreds of prisoners were deployed to combat the fires, with 939 inmates on the frontline, the BBC reports.
This practice is not uncommon in California, one of 14 US states that utilizes inmates for firefighting. Participation is voluntary, with inmates earning between $5.80 and $10.24 per day. However, those with certain convictions, such as arson and sexual offenses, are not eligible.
Three days after the fires began, the LAPD arrested a man accused of intentionally starting the Kenneth Fire with a blow torch.
Southern California Edison, part of Edison International, acknowledged a grid issue on January 7, when the fires began.
According to a press release by Edison International: “On January 10, Southern California Edison (SCE) filed an Electric Safety Incident Report (ESIR) related to the Hurst Fire once SCE learned fire agencies are investigating whether SCE equipment was involved in the ignition, which is a triggering event for reporting.”
“SCE noted that the fire was reported at approximately 10:10pm on 7 January, and preliminary information reflects the Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit experienced a relay at 10:11pm. A downed powerline was discovered at a tower associated with the Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit. SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire.”
Numerous celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal, and Eugene Levy, were forced to evacuate, with some losing their homes.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Eaton, Palisades, Kenneth, and Hurst fires have burned over 40,000 acres.
More than 12,000 structures, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed.
Nearly a week after the first fire started, 24 individuals have been confirmed dead by the LA County medical examiner.
Officials have also reported at least another 23 people missing.