When will residents be able to return to their homes in fire zones? – NBC New York

Some residents will have to wait another week or longer before they can return to their homes, which are still standing Eaton and Palisades in fire zones, authorities announced on Thursday.

At a Thursday morning news conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he understood the desire of evacuated residents to return home, especially if their homes were undamaged, but said he expected it would be “at least another week and that’s an estimate.” . , but I think it will take longer.”

Firefighters have increased insulation and the dangerous winds fueling the fire have abated, but Luna and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said there is still work to be done, including securing utilities, removing hazardous waste and searching for human remains.

“Our search and rescue efforts continue,” Luna said. “There are areas we are holding because we believe there may be deceased victims there.

“Please be patient.”

Luna said he sympathizes with those wanting to return home, but has more sympathy for those waiting for information about missing friends and family members who may have died in the fires.

Luna also said there are damaged areas that need to be secured. Thousands of structures have already been built damaged and destroyed.

“It literally looks like a bomb was dropped,” he said. “There’s something everywhere.”

Marrone also estimated that it could take a week or longer for many residents to return.

“The last thing we want as public safety and county and city officials is for people not to come back to an area and get hurt,” Marrone said. “We know there are a lot of conversations going on about when we can come back, they want a date. We don’t have a date.”

Some evacuation orders for the Eaton Fire have been lifted in recent days, but most will likely remain in effect until next week.

Authorities initially organized an escort, with officers accompanying residents for short periods into fire-affected areas to recover items
or viewing their homes, but Marrone said the process became too unwieldy and occupied too many law enforcement personnel.

AND three-day wind event in Santa Ana ended on Wednesday evening. Red Flag warnings of critical fire danger expired for most of the region at 6 p.m. Wednesday, although a red flag warning will remain in effect until 3 p.m. Thursday for the western San Gabriel Mountains, Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14). along highway corridors, winds are expected to reach 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph.