A Los Angeles fire captain details the obstacles that allow wildfires to destroy the city

Los Angeles Fire Department Captain Sheila Kelleher explains how persistent winds prevented firefighters from extinguishing fires surrounding parts of Los Angeles and allowed the “dramatic blaze” to engulf the area.

California wildfires are burning across Los Angeles County, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes

Fires began burning in areas around Los Angeles on Tuesday night, and more fires were burning on Wednesday. The six fires currently are the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Olivas Fire, Lydia Fire and Woodley Fire. Officials said early Wednesday evening that these fires 0 percent received.

“Mother Nature was the star of the show and made it difficult for us to fight this fire,” Kelleher told The Story on Wednesday, explaining how Tuesday night’s winds were more “amplified” than usual.

Kelleher described the scorched hillsides as “dramatic and horrific,” and said she saw winds “lashing at speeds of up to 70, 80 or even 100 miles per hour,” further fanning the flames.

The fire captain explained how the teams work They were struggling With some drawbacks, one has to rely on residential water systems, which are not powerful enough to support a “15-hour firefight.”

“Everyone uses water. It’s not designed for that. It’s designed for residential use, not for wildland firefighting,” she said.

Trump says Newsom is ‘to blame’ for ‘horrific’ wildfires

The lack of water through air support due to strong winds also made it more difficult to contain the fire. Without falling planes, crews had to rely on residential groundwater to extinguish what they could, Kelleher said.

“So working with that and really knowing that balance is where we’re at,” she said.

In order to be able to lift firefighters into the air, the fire chief said wind gusts of less than 40 mph are the “tipping point.”

“We’re just waiting for, again, Mother Nature to cooperate. And they’re saying, you know, the forecast is that the weather will probably start to turn down around 6:00 tonight. So, let’s hope that’s the case,” Kelleher said. .

“The Eaton Canyon Fire is up to 10,000 acres, just over 10,000 acres. So it has the potential to continue to grow if those winds don’t die down. And we’re not out of the woods with any of this. So, we really do,” she continued. “We can.”

More firefighters outside Los Angeles County are expected to arrive in the meantime to help ease the tax burden Current fighters. Kelleher said some reinforcements may begin arriving Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.

“We pre-spread throughout the county and make sure we’re covered. But this is where mutual aid comes into play, which is really important. There are other agencies that we work alongside,” she said. That there are a lot of “tired firefighters.” “When the call is made, other agencies step up, and support comes in not only from Northern California, Southern California, Orange County, Ventura County, but also from out of state. So, that call was sent through our Chief Maroon as one reason they obliged and help is on the way.” “

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

For those seeking shelter, Kelleher said California firefighting sites have plenty of resources. “Everyone is participating,” she said, explaining how many industries are opening their gyms, places of worship and the Pasadena Convention Center open to people in need.

“There are a lot of places that are already working with the community to help people find shelter,” she said.