A climate scientist who played a crucial role in saving hundreds of lives by warning about the LA wildfires has shared his belief that the worst is yet to come.
Since January 2, eight wildfires have spread across Los Angeles, destroying thousands of homes and businesses and forcing hundreds of thousands of residents, including some celebrities, to evacuate the area.
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Office reports that at least 24 people have died, though this number is expected to rise, with 16 individuals still unaccounted for, according to the BBC.
The situation is expected to worsen, with the return of the “devil winds,” or Santa Ana winds, which are expected to fan the flames as four major fires continue to rage in Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst, LBC reports.
Local meteorologist Edgar McGregor, from Altadena, has been hailed as a hero for potentially saving countless lives after warning the public about the fires. The 24-year-old, who posts localized weather updates on his Facebook page, Altadena Weather and Climate, urged LA residents on January 7 to stay alert and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Speaking to PEOPLE, McGregor shared: “I haven’t even been able to process that mentally.
“I didn’t run into a burning building and get third-degree burns trying to save someone’s life. So people are sending me all these comments and I’m thinking to myself, I just did my job.”
The scientist explained that he recognized the danger of the Santa Ana winds combined with dry conditions, noting: “I knew on December 30th that when this windstorm hit, the conditions would be carbon copies of the conditions that were on the ground in Lahaina, Hawaii, and in Paradise, which both were completely leveled and lost around a hundred people each.
“I told people, if a wildfire breaks out, there’ll be a thousand homes burned down. This would be cataclysmic.”
Now, the local weather expert has shared what he is most concerned about next, which he believes could lead to a disaster for Hollywood and Santa Barbara.
McGregor explained to the outlet: “I think for the most part the immediate threat is over.”
“The next couple of windstorms are not going to be all that impressive, especially not compared to what we saw on Tuesday. But it still hasn’t rained.
“So in the next couple of weeks, if we get another major windstorm, it could be Hollywood that faces disaster next. Santa Barbara. Any of these foothill towns. And then when it rains, we have the mudslides to get through.”
He added: “What I’m saying is, this is not over yet.”
McGregor also picks and disposes of trash from the Eaton Canyon, which gave him a clue that something was amiss as he noticed the dry canyon was full of wildfire ‘fuel’ like dead trees, adding: “I knew this was coming. I certainly didn’t think January was the month it would occur, but I hope that I did my job in warning everybody.”
What we know so far about the LA wildfires:
2 January
The first warning
The National Weather Service in the US issued a warning about possible strong Santa Ana winds and extreme fire conditions five days before the first wildfire started. In the following days, a Fire Weather Watch was declared, and both state and local authorities began issuing warnings for the Los Angeles area.
7 January
The first fire ignites
The Palisades Fire breaks out, prompting an emergency alert to LA residents urging those near the fire to prepare for “a potential evacuation.” Later that day, the City of Santa Monica issued an “Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW” for all areas north of San Vicente.
Two more wildfires begin
Just hours after the first wildfire started, the second one, known as the Eaton Fire, erupted in the Altadena area of LA. Soon after, the Hurst Fire began in the Sylmar area as the National Weather Service recorded gusts of 99mph. A new evacuation order was issued for the affected areas as the fires spread quickly, burning thousands of acres and destroying homes and businesses.
9 January
Inmates enlisted to help combat fires
Hundreds of incarcerated individuals were sent to assist in fighting the escalating wildfires, with 939 inmates reported at the frontline, according to the BBC.
This practice is not unusual in California, one of 14 US states that utilize inmates to aid in firefighting efforts. Inmates volunteer for the task, with reports indicating they are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day.
However, inmates with certain convictions, such as those for arson and sexual offenses, are ineligible to participate.
10 January
Suspect arrested for arson
Three days after the initial fire began, the LAPD made an arrest following claims from local residents who said they saw a man on a bicycle carrying a large blowtorch and attempting to set bins and discarded Christmas trees on fire.
Authorities suspect that the Kenneth Fire was deliberately set, and the man believed to be responsible is now in custody.
A billion-dollar energy company is under investigation for a potential connection to recent wildfires.
Southern California Edison, a subsidiary of the major energy company Edison International, acknowledged that its grid experienced a short circuit on January 7, the same evening the first fires broke out.
“On January 10, Southern California Edison (SCE) filed an Electric Safety Incident Report (ESIR) related to the Hurst Fire once SCE learned fire agencies are investigating whether SCE equipment was involved in the ignition, which is a triggering event for reporting,” Edison International stated in a press release.
“SCE noted that the fire was reported at approximately 10:10pm on 7 January, and preliminary information reflects the Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit experienced a relay at 10:11pm. A downed powerline was discovered at a tower associated with the Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit. SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire.”
A-list celebrities forced out of their homes
Numerous A-list celebrities have been forced to evacuate their homes, with many of them now destroyed. Among those affected are Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal, and Eugene Levy.
13 January
40,000 acres of land lost
As reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, over 40,000 acres have been consumed by the Eaton, Palisades, Kenneth, and Hurst fires.
Among the destruction are more than 12,000 structures, including homes and businesses.
The death toll increases
Nearly a week after the fires began, the LA County medical examiner has confirmed that 24 people have lost their lives due to the blazes.
Authorities have also stated that “at least another 23 people remain missing.”
