Media: Los Angeles Palisades fire linked to New Year’s eve blaze

The devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, which erupted on January 7, may have been caused by the reignition of a New Year’s Eve blaze in the same area, according to experts and initial investigations.

Firefighters’ reports, satellite imagery, and eyewitness accounts indicate the new fire originated within the burn scar of the earlier fire, potentially rekindled by strong Santa Ana winds and unextinguished underground embers, Caliber.Az reports citing The Washington Post (WP).

Experts note that fire remnants can smolder for days or weeks, especially in dry, windy conditions. Despite this known risk, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) confirmed it does not routinely patrol past fire sites.

Investigators, including the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), are probing the cause of the fire, which is critical for understanding liability and future risk management.

The fire quickly spread across the Santa Monica Mountains, fuelled by 80 mph winds, engulfing over 12,000 homes and leaving 24 dead. Residents expressed frustration over what they perceived as a slower emergency response compared to the earlier fire, further exacerbated by the city’s firefighting resources being stretched thin due to simultaneous incidents elsewhere.

Economic damages are estimated between $60 billion and $130 billion. Legal actions are being considered by residents and businesses, targeting potential parties responsible for the disaster. Investigators are examining various theories, including power equipment failure and human activity, though no conclusive cause has been determined.

The fire's aftermath underscores the growing challenges posed by extreme weather events and underlines the need for enhanced fire management strategies to prevent such catastrophic losses in the future.

By Aghakazim Guliyev