LA fire captain discusses challenges preventing wildfires from devastating the city.

L.A.'s "dramatic fire" has been allowed to spread due to persistent wind, according to Los Angeles Fire Department captain Sheila Kelliher.

On Tuesday night, fires broke out in the areas surrounding L.A., with more catching fire on Wednesday. Currently, there are six fires burning: the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, the Hurst Fire, the Olivas Fire, the Lidia Fire, and the Woodley Fire. Officials stated early Wednesday evening that these fires are not yet contained.

"Residential use is what these water devices are designed for, not wildland firefighting," she stated.

Kelliher stated that the absence of water support from overhead planes due to strong winds made it harder to control the flames. Without the help of groundwater from residential areas, teams had to fight the fire with limited resources.

She stated, "That balance is where we're at by working with it and figuring it out."

The fire captain stated that wind gusts under 40 miles per hour are the "cutoff."

Kelliher stated, "We're waiting on Mother Nature to cooperate once again. The forecast predicts that it will start to subside at 6:00 tonight. Let's hope this is the case."

The Eaton Canyon Fire has grown to 10,000 acres and has the potential to expand further if the winds do not subside. However, we are not out of danger yet, so we are taking all necessary precautions.

Some reinforcements may begin to arrive as early as Wednesday night and Thursday morning to alleviate the taxing load on the current firefighters in L.A. County.

"We pre-deploy across the county to ensure coverage. However, mutual aid comes into play when we need it most, which is crucial. We work alongside other agencies to provide support. When a call comes in, these agencies step up and provide assistance from Northern California, Southern California, Orange County, Ventura County, and even out of state. Our Chief Marrone initiated the call, and help is now on the way."

Kelliher stated that the California fire websites offer a wealth of resources for those seeking shelter. She added, "The community is coming together," explaining how various industries are contributing by opening their facilities, including gyms, places of worship, and the Pasadena Convention Center.

She stated that many places are collaborating with the community to assist individuals in finding shelter.