A Wildfire Rages Out of Control as it Approaches a Community in Los Angeles County California
Drought, Santa Ana Hurricane-Force Winds, Dry Vegetation Form a Perfect FireStorm
Since January 7, 2025, a series of wildfires continue to affect the greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and surrounding areas. As of January 18th, 31 fires have killed at least 27 people and forced over 200,000 to evacuate. So far, the fires destroyed or damaged more than 12,400 structures. The two largest fires, Palisades and Eaton, will go down as two of the most destructive California wildfires in history.
Drought, low humidity, dessicated vegetation, and hurricane-force winds that reached 100 MPH resulted in “above normal significant fire potential” according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Local National Weather Service forecasts for the region issued a fire watch. The Storm Prediction Center included a critical risk for fire for January 7 to January 8, and forecast critical to extremely critical risk for fire weather through January 15.
Los Angeles County has been in a state of drought since December 2024. The shift of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) from El Nino to La Nina pushed rainy weather north, leaving Southern California without rain.
Power Outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs
As the Santa Ana winds began, the City of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency. There were dust storm warnings in Southern California. President Joe Biden canceled events at two National Monuments where he planned to sign proclamations.
Trees began to fall and by midday, more than 20,000 utility customers were without power. California Edison began shutting off power to reduce the chance of electrical equipment causing fires. Burbank airport canceled flights after strong winds forced planes to make multiple landing attempts. Southwest Airlines diverted flights away from Burbank and Ontario.
Firefighters reported the Palisades Fire grew at a rate of 3 football fields per minute.
Portable Generator Shortages
The California Air Resources Board requires CARB certification for all portable generators less than 19kW. With new California 2025 rules taking effect and new PGMA/ANSI requirements, CARB certified portable generators are difficult to find as manufacturers have not started production to meet the 2025 CARB rules.
CARB, the California Resources Board, issued a release on January 10 stating that it will allow the “Sale, Offer for Sale, and Importation of U.S EPA Certified Portable Generators” through June 30, 2025.
“The current fire weather conditions in California pose an imminent threat to the health and safety of Californians through on-going wildfires. Utility customers who have lost power may want to use a portable generator to power critical equipment, such as medical devices and refrigerators.”
Manufacturers responded swiftly, notifying wholesalers, distributors, and dealers.
Rules for Manufacturers
- Manufacturers must provide to CARB their desire to participate in the temporary reprieve and indicate the CARB models that were sold out, and which EPA certified models they would substitute.
- Wholesalers, retailers, and distributors must stop selling the EPA Certified generators in California by June 30. They must keep records of the affected generators and make the records available upon request to CARB.
- By July 31, the manufacturers must also provide to CARB a list of how many EPA Certified generators they sold.
- Manufacturers that do not have prior 2023, 2024, or 2025 California Certified generators are prohibited from selling U.S. EPA Certified Generators.
The ongoing fire risk for January 21-26 in California includes Santa Ana, Anaheim, Riverside, San Bernardino, Huntington Beach, San Diego, and Chula Vista.
