00:00California is burning again.
00:02Just one week after devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles,
00:06claiming at least 24 lives and destroying thousands of homes,
00:10the danger is far from over.
00:12Hurricane-force Santa Ana winds are back,
00:15threatening explosive fire growth across Southern California.
00:19The National Weather Service has issued a rare red flag warning,
00:22calling this one of the most dangerous fire weather scenarios imaginable.
00:27Fire chiefs warn that these winds,
00:29reaching up to 70 mph,
00:31could undo any progress in containing the blazes.
00:34Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin
00:37describes it as potentially disastrous.
00:40Thousands remain under evacuation orders.
00:43Authorities are urging those in high-risk areas
00:45not to wait for official warnings.
00:47If you sense danger, leave immediately.
00:50Red flag warnings cover much of Southern California,
00:53where low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds
00:56create a perfect storm for wildfires.
00:59While firefighting efforts are relentless,
01:01with 14,000 firefighters, over 80 aircraft,
01:05and 1,300 fire engines on the front lines,
01:08the winds could ground planes and make containment nearly impossible.
01:13Authorities are also battling another crisis, looting.
01:17At least 29 arrests have been made,
01:19including individuals posing as firefighters to rob evacuated homes.
01:23The destruction is staggering.
01:25More than 12,000 structures gone,
01:28and early estimates suggest losses could top $250 billion,
01:32making this potentially the costliest wildfire disaster in U.S. history.
01:37But there is hope.
01:39Winds are expected to ease by midweek,
01:41giving firefighters a chance to regain control.
01:44Until then, the battle to save lives, homes, and entire communities rages on.
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