Deadly Santa Ana winds return to fire-scarred LA — but have officials learned anything?

In arid Southern California, the Santa Ana winds always whisper a warning.

If a fire’s ignited, the gusts can spread it far and wide — fast. 

A familiar wind event has gripped the region this week; Red Flag Warnings, which signify extreme fire risk, are in effect through Saturday. 

Which raises a question for fire-scarred Los Angeles: 

Have public officials learned from last year’s Palisades and Eaton fires?

If not: Why not?

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In January 2025, LA Mayor Karen Bass infamously left town for Ghana, despite dire fire warnings.

Then, the Santa Ana winds whipped through Los Angeles as anticipated, and carried flames with them — killing 31 people, destroying more than 16,000 structures and leaving tens of thousands of residents displaced. 

The city was badly underprepared. For instance:

The Santa Ynez Reservoir — part of the Palisades water system, built in part to help fight fires — sat empty.

LA Fire Department resources were not pre-deployed to handle critical fire weather, and were under-deployed even after the fire broke out. 

The Palisades area lacked proper water pressure for firefighting. 

And coordination among emergency agencies, including police, fire, city emergency management and the city’s water agency, faltered.

Today, what has changed?

Are officials ready for another round of wind-whipped flames — a round that’s here now?

Questions swirl. For example:

Why is the Santa Ynez reservoir still empty?

Why has so little brush clearance — aka fire accelerant — been cleared in the region?

How many fire resources have been pre-deployed, given the extreme fire risk? 

We did see a state Office of Emergency Services vehicle rolling through Palisades on Thursday: a promising sign.

Also on Thursday, a blaze broke out around 5 p.m. in Malibu — even as the parts of the city endure a two-day electricity shutoff meant to hedge against fire risk. Firefighters aggressively attacked the flames.

Meanwhile, one would think, with Bass facing a tough reelection fight, that she would have learned from a devastating piece of LA’s past. That she, or any mayor, would have delivered change, improvement, peace of mind. 

Has she? 

Likewise her opponent, Councilwoman Nithya Raman; the City Council, too, bears responsibility for local fire protection — and for learning from grave errors. 

Has she or the council done better this year?

The Palisades and Altadena areas face perhaps 20 years of rebuilding before they approximate what they were before January 2025.

And the next wind-driven wildfire can sweep through Southern California at any time.

Let’s hope we’re ready this time.