Devastating flames in Los Angeles have devastated more than 40,000 acres of land, killed 25 people, and left 23 more unaccounted for.
Celebrities like Paris Hilton, who saw her Malibu mansion burn on live television, are among the thousands of people who have been forced to leave their homes.
Altadena meteorologist Edgar McGregor, 24, has been praised as a local hero for delivering early warnings amid the mayhem, which are estimated to have saved hundreds of lives.
McGregor, who regularly posts hyper-local weather updates on his Facebook page, Altadena Weather and Climate, foresaw the disaster a week before the fires began. “I knew on December 30th that when this windstorm hit, conditions would mirror those in Lahaina, Hawaii, and Paradise, which suffered catastrophic losses,” McGregor told PEOPLE magazine. Recognizing the impending threat posed by the Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, he urged residents to prepare for immediate evacuation.
“I told people, ‘If a wildfire breaks out, there’ll be a thousand homes burned down. This would be cataclysmic,’” he recalled. His advice to keep essential documents ready and vehicles facing outward proved invaluable as the fires engulfed large swathes of the region.
LA Fires and Their Impact
The Palisades Fire started the wildfires on January 7 and was followed by the Eaton and Hurst fires. The spread was made worse by strong winds, which destroyed more than 12,000 buildings, including residences and commercial buildings. With the prompt issuance of evacuation orders, the death toll increased to 25 by January 13.
The tragedy was exacerbated by the fact that prisoners, a frequent but contentious practice in California, were sent to the front lines to fight the fires. With daily wages ranging from $5.80 to $10.24, more than 900 prisoners volunteered to assist.
While Southern California Edison is being investigated for a potential equipment-related cause of the Hurst Fire, authorities have subsequently detained a man suspected of arson in connection with the Kenneth Fire.
McGregor’s Continued Warnings
Despite the immediate threat subsiding, McGregor remains cautious. “The next couple of windstorms might not be as intense, but it still hasn’t rained,” he said. “In the next few weeks, Hollywood or Santa Barbara could face disaster. And when it rains, there’s the risk of mudslides.”
As an avid hiker and environmental advocate, McGregor had long observed the dry canyon near Eaton as a wildfire hazard. “I’ve been telling people for years that this canyon is full of dead trees and fuel. I knew this was coming,” he explained.
Wildfire-prone areas’ weaknesses have been exposed by the fires. The aftermath is a sobering reminder of the ongoing climate problem, even though McGregor’s timely warnings surely saved lives. McGregor stresses the importance of being vigilant as locals rebuild and prepare for possible mudslides. “This is not over yet,” he cautioned.
