LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California braces for another day of ferocious winds as firefighters remain vigilant against the heightened threat of new wildfires. Two weeks after major blazes ignited in the Los Angeles area, extreme fire weather conditions have worsened, prompting officials to issue warnings for a potentially destructive situation.

National Weather Service reports indicate that gusts could peak at 70 mph (113 kph) along coastal regions and reach up to 100 mph (160 kph) in mountainous areas. The winds are expected to persist through Tuesday morning, unleashing dry conditions and low humidity across Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego counties. “The conditions are ripe for explosive fire growth should a fire start,” noted Andrew Rorke, a meteorologist with the weather service in Oxnard, emphasizing the serious threat posed by the Santa Ana winds.

As fire crews worked to contain ongoing blazes, several new fires erupted. Notably, evacuation orders were issued for the Lilac Fire in San Diego County, which has already charred roughly 50 acres (20 hectares), endangering nearby structures. Another fire, the Pala Fire, showed promising containment and was declared stopped.

On Monday, firefighters swiftly extinguished a small brush fire near the Griffith Observatory, leading to the arrest of a suspect believed to have ignited the blaze. Further north in Granada Hills, another brush fire was contained along Interstate 405, temporarily disrupting traffic.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who was recently in the area, emphasized community solidarity as she met with firefighters and victims of the ongoing Eaton Fire, which has now claimed at least 27 lives and destroyed over 14,000 structures since its onset earlier this month.

Authorities, including Governor Gavin Newsom, have stressed the critical need for collaboration between local and federal governments to manage the recovery and response efforts. Newsom remarked, “I look forward to President Trump’s visit to Los Angeles and his mobilization of the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild,” following Trump's planned visit on Friday.

With gusty conditions projected to resume later in the week and calcium low humidity levels creating a hazardous environment, fire officials have positioned personnel and equipment across the region to enhance rapid response capabilities. David Acuna from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection cautioned residents to refrain from any activities that could spark new fires, urging them to prepare their evacuation plans and emergency kits.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reiterated the city's readiness as public safety becomes paramount. She encouraged residents to stay informed about air quality and fire conditions by visiting lacity.gov.

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