High Winds Fuel New Wildfires in Southern California

Southern California remains on high alert as fierce Santa Ana winds, with speeds reaching 100 mph in certain mountain areas, exacerbate fire risks across the region. The National Weather Service warned of a "particularly dangerous situation" in Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego counties due to low humidity and extreme gusts. Multiple small wildfires have ignited, including the Lilac Fire in San Diego County, prompting evacuation orders as firefighters work to contain the flames.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband visited Los Angeles to support firefighters and community members affected by the fires, notably the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have claimed 27 lives and ravaged over 14,000 structures since early January. Despite some progress, with the Palisades fire 61% contained and the Eaton fire 87% contained, concerns persist about the potential for new fires. Meanwhile, President Trump, who criticized the response to the wildfires during his inaugural address, has said he will travel to Los Angeles on Friday. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)