Crews get foothold on some fires in LA, San Diego. But new blazes are igniting

SAN DIEGO – Dry vegetation and strong winds elevated critical fire conditions across Southern California on Wednesday, keeping the region on high alert as crews gained a foothold on several infernos but had to keep battling new blazes − including a quick-growing brush fire that prompted evacuations in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Red flag warnings were in effect until Thursday night for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties because of low humidity and an expected uptick in Santa Ana winds, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts up to 50 mph were forecast with isolated gusts of 75 mph predicted for mountainous areas. Peak wind speeds are expected Thursday morning.
"If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior and rapid fire growth, which would threaten life and property," a red flag warning from the weather service said.
Fire crews in San Diego County battled several small brush fires that erupted Tuesday but were quickly extinguished. The largest of the blazes, the Lilac Fire, burned 85 acres and was 90% contained as of Wednesday morning. Crews also tamped down the nearby Friars and Pala fires as well as the Riverview and Clay fires in Riverside County.
New fires continued cropping up, prompting more rounds of evacuations.
The Bernardo Fire in San Diego's Rancho Bernardo community near Camino Del Norte and the 15 Freeway was growing quickly and could reach 100 acres, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department saidWednesday. One person was already taken to a hospital with burn injuries and the flames were threatening structures, the department said. Surrounding areas were issued evacuation orders or warnings.
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Northwest of Los Angeles, another brush fire dubbed the Hughes Fire broke out just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday and had spread to 500 acres within an hour, according to CalFire. It was blazing in Castaic in the Santa Clarita Valley. The Hughes fire had "a rapid rate of spread and spotting," officials said.
In Los Angeles, firefighters increased containment of the Palisades and Eaton fires that destroyed more than 15,000 structures and killed at least 28 people. Officials have warned that weather conditions may cause the fires to spread or spark new blazes.
As authorities lifted evacuation orders and some residents returned to their homes, officials prepared for much-needed rain this weekend. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to hasten cleanup efforts and mitigate the impacts of possible "toxic runoff."
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Report: West Altadena not evacuated for hours after fire started
All 17 confirmed deaths from the Eaton Fire occurred on the western side of the Altadena community, which did not get electronic evacuation warnings and only received orders to evacuate several hours after the blaze had ignited, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"By then, burning embers were raining down on neighborhoods on the west side of Altadena and igniting homes,'' the newspaper said.
The Eaton Fire, which has destroyed more than 9,000 structures, started around 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 7 and was blown west by the strong winds. The Times reported that many neighborhoods east of North Lake Avenue received electronic evacuation warnings and orders that night, but those west of that road were not told to get out by electronic communication until 3:25 a.m.
The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management told the newspaper that wireless alerts are "only one of several means of notifying residents to evacuate their homes during a fire emergency.''
Power shutoffs in San Diego-area leave thousands in the dark
Tens of thousands of people in the San Diego area woke up in the dark Wednesday as power shutoffs continued amid high winds and relentlessly dry conditions.
San Diego Gas and Electric Company halted service to more than 15,000 homes and businesses in the foothills and mountains throughout San Diego County. Another 68,000 utility customers could potentially be affected by the shutoffs, depending on the intensity of the winds.
The electricity provider said shutoffs could last through Friday. In the meantime, it opened resource centers where residents experiencing blackouts can stock up on water, ice and snacks and also charge their phones.
Rain in weekend forecast for Southern California
Rain is expected to alleviate extreme fire conditions in Southern California this weekend, providing a desperately needed reprieve for thousands of firefighters, though officials warn the precipitation could also bring potential hazards to the region.
"Just about every location in coastal Southern California, as well as the Southern California mountains, should get in on some showers this weekend," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said in an online forecast.
Downtown Los Angeles has not seen measurable rainfall since Dec. 24, when only 0.02 of an inch fell, according to AccuWeather.
Ahead of the rain, Bass issued an executive order "to shore up burn areas and stem the flow of toxic debris," she said, adding, "This is to prevent additional damage to areas already ravaged by fire and also to protect our watershed, beaches and ocean from toxic runoff."
The order called for the installation of barriers, debris removal and the diversion of runoff from the city's storm water system to its sewer system, where the water can be treated.
Clay Fire in Riverside County is under control, officials say
Fire authorities in Riverside County stopped the forward progress of a blaze that erupted Tuesday on the bed of a river in Jurupa Valley.
The Clay Fire was first reported around 5 p.m. local time and quickly expanded to 39 acres, triggering evacuation warnings. Cal Fire said vegetation was burning by the Santa Ana River. The heavy and dense fuel led the flames to burn at a slow rate.
The warnings were lifted within a few hours as firefighters mopped up the remaining embers. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to Cal Fire. Containment was at 40% as of Wednesday morning.
Firefighters make progress on Palisades and Eaton fires
The Palisades Fire was at 23,448 acres with 68% containment Wednesday morning, according to Cal Fire. The Eaton Fire had burned 14,021 acres and was at 91% containment.
"Firefighters are making steady progress, and officials are reassessing evacuation orders to ensure safe returns," read an operations report on the Palisades Fire. "Crews are working with utility providers to repair infrastructure and address hazards like fallen trees and downed power lines. The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions."
Cal Fire said firefighters were continuing to work on establishing "direct control lines" and extinguishing hot spots within the perimeter of the blaze.
At least 28 people have been killed in two fires, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said in an update Tuesday. At least 17 people died in the Eaton Fire while another 11 died in the Palisades Fire.
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