Critical fire weather remains across southern California

One of four Quebec Super Scoopers battling the flames in southern California over the past week. The CL-415 Aircraft is capable of scooping up 6000 litres of water in seconds. The battle from the air has been crucial in slowing the spread of the fires. The incredible photo was taken by @FIREPHOTOGIRL and posted on X.

Gusty Santa Ana winds continue to blow across southern California, along with critically low humidity readings. These conditions are expected to persist through Thursday before easing on Friday as winds turn more onshore bringing in a moist marine layer.

California is reeling from days of severe wildfires that have claimed at least 24 lives, resulted in evacuations of over 150,000 residents and destroyed over 15,000 dwellings. Many historic buildings have been lost, with entire neighbourhoods incinerated, including the picturesque Pacific Palisades.

According to Cal Fire, the Eaton Fire has consumed 14,000 acres and is 33 percent contained as of Tuesday morning. The Palisades Fire has scorched over 24,000 acres and is only 14 percent contained. The 2025 fire season is off to a fast start, well ahead of the 5-year average of 46 fires consuming 13 acres. To date there have been over 100 fires burning 39,000 acres.

Early estimates on damage are exceeding $250 billion, making the California Fires the costliest natural disaster in US history. Those amounts are only expected to rise.

The wildfires were the result of a perfect storm. Since October 1st, Los Angeles has recorded less than 1mm of rainfall, with only 4-7mm since May 1st. The tinder dry region was primed for a severe wildfire. Once started, they were driven by fierce Santa Ana winds that gusted over 120km/h. These winds are hot, dry winds the blow from the desert, howling through the mountain canyons to the Pacific Ocean. High pressure to the north, in this case over Idaho and low pressure to the south, squeezes the winds through the mountain passes, while drying out the atmosphere even more. The offshore winds easily spread any fire that may start. 

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire, which can range from electrical, such as in Maui, to lightning as is often the case here in Quebec, this was not the case in L.A., or by humans either in error or by arson. Once started, the powerful winds spread the fire quickly, at one point the Palisades fire was consuming as much as 5 football fields every minute. Embers can travel miles away igniting homes far from the fire source and creating new wildfires.

Canadian Help

Canada continues to help California, with aircraft from Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Colombia down south. This includes four CL-415 Super Scoopers from Quebec. One was damaged in a collision with a drone late last week, but landed safely. The plane remains grounded, but has been replaced along with additional crews. We have also sent at least 250 firefighters. Help has also arrived from 9 US States and Mexico.