As of Tuesday afternoon, 15% of the Getty Fire has been contained — but the blaze continues to burn 656 acres and “significant” winds on Tuesday evening could pose the risk for new fires, according to an announcement from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
“We have no open flame today right now as we have this press conference,” Garcetti told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “But — and this is the big but — we have the most significant wind event in Los Angeles of the year that will be starting this evening around 11 o’clock.”
The Santa Ana winds are expected to peak around 3 a.m. PT on Wednesday and will continue on through Tuesday, Garcetti and LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said.
“There are still embers throughout this territory,” Garcetti said. “All it takes is one ember cast that can come up, be tossed in the middle of the night or tomorrow, and we could see new fire or fires emerge throughout this area.”
Garcetti confirmed that the Getty Fire has destroyed 12 homes and partially damaged five others.
With 15% of the fire contained, of which he said authorities are 100% confident will not spread, Garcetti reiterated that the remaining figure did not mean “85% [is] out of control.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom said that CalFire had taken down 324 fires in the past 24 hours and 654 in the last 48 hours, adding that California has received aid from almost a dozen states. He also praised FEMA and the Trump administration for federal assistance offered to the state as it battles the Getty, Kincade, Tick, and Sonoma fires this week.
“That is demonstrable, specific support from the federal government,” Newsom said. “These are the moments when humanity is at scale when people aren’t focused on their differences, are focused on supporting one another.”
Watch the afternoon press conference above.