US weather: 'Major health' warning issued as 'hazardous' smog sweeps across America as 85mph desert winds deepen wildfire crisis
WATCH: Firefighters battle raging Pacific Palisades wildfire in LA area
GB News
America’s wildfire crisis is about to deepen as strengthening 85mph desert winds sweep a cloud of choking smog across the blaze.
A ‘major health concern’ looms as plumes of air loaded with ‘hazardous’ particles travel miles from the raging inferno.
People in surrounding areas are urged to keep doors and windows closed and wear respirator masks outside.
Smoke from the fires can trigger asthma and other illnesses, experts warn, leading to ‘serious health problems’.
America’s wildfire crisis is about to deepen as strengthening 85mph desert winds sweep a cloud of choking smog across the blaze
AccuWeather
It comes as experts warn fire-fuelling winds under rainless skies fanning the uncontrollable flames are about to get stronger.
AccuWeather meteorologist Jonathan Porter said: “Stronger winds will arrive early in the week, and we are forecasting 40mph to 60 mph gusts in areas prone to Santa-Ana winds with a maximum of 85 mph.
“The wind is carrying wildfire smoke and hazardous particulates in the air that can travel miles away from the fire zone.
“This unhealthy air quality can trigger asthma and other respiratory issues, and extended exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to serious health problems.
“This is a major public health concern, since millions of people could potentially be exposed to unhealthy air quality in the Los Angeles area.”
Strengthening winds through the start of the week threaten to fuel what are turning into some of the worst fires in US history.
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Gusts could hit 85mph in parts of California, with winds forecast more widely of 40mph to 60mph.
The main culprit is incendiary ‘Santa Ana’ or ‘Devil’ winds – triggered by high pressure over desert regions forcing air towards low pressure off the Pacific coast.
The winds gather speed as they gush through built up regions, warming and drying as they pass, providing the ideal conditions for wildfires.
Porter said: “Winds circulating around an area of high pressure over the Great Basin will produce another round of Santa Ana winds early this week.
“An area of low pressure off the Pacific Coast will amplify those winds in some of the same areas that were hit hard by the fast-moving, wind-driven infernos.”
The cost of the damage, dubbed ‘the most destructive wildfire in California’s modern history’ could run to between 135 and 150 billion dollars.
After an unusually dry run-up to winter, experts say there is little chance of any rain to quench the flames
AccuWeather
“AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from these fast-moving, wind-driven infernos will cost nearly 10 times as much as the devastating 2023 wildfires in Maui”, Porter added.
Strengthening winds and lack of rain will provide the ideal conditions for fires to blaze through parched scrubland.
After an unusually dry run-up to winter, experts say there is little chance of any rain to quench the flames.
Jim Dale, US meteorologist for British Weather Services and co-author of ‘Surviving Extreme Weather’, said: “It is unusual at this time of year to have had such little rainfall, but this is the pattern we expect to continue through the next week or so.
“This is bad news in terms of the fires as it is only going to be heavy rainfall that will bring an end to this cataclysmic event.
“The winds are also going to be strong through the week, so in that respect, nothing has changed, and with that, the Santa-Ana winds are going to rev-up through the coming days.”
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