WWE star Asuka expressed she has been “feeling in danger” recently when it comes to interactions with fans.
The four-time women’s world champion in WWE sent out a series of posts to her official X account on Wednesday, expressing distress and frustration about fans’ interactions with her and their desire for a romantic relationship — enough so that she contacted law enforcement about it.
“I’ve been feeling in danger recently,” Asuka wrote. “I’ve already consulted the police. At this rate, even if fans approach me at the airport or in the city, I will feel the possibility that something might happen, and it will scare me, making me unable to respond.”
WWE star Asuka WWE
It’s unclear if a specific interaction sparked Asuka’s fear and concern.
A portion of wrestling fans have become known for hounding performers in bunches at airports, hotels and other public places for them to sign items — often turning around and selling the memorabilia on the internet for profit.
The Japanese star, who is very private about her life outside the ring, also made it clear to fans in her posts that she will “absolutely reject any romantic or personal approaches toward me.”
“Please don’t have romantic feelings for me,” Asuka wrote. “It’s meaningless — 100% pointless.”
She added: “There is absolutely no possibility for others to interfere in my private life.”
WWe star Asuka offered a warning to fans from her X account on Wednesday. Asuka/X
Asuka, 43, who has been with WWE since 2015, remains the longest-reigning NXT women’s champion, a four-time Women’s tag team champion, and has won the Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank.
Her fear of the worst certainly have some merit.
In 2020, WWE star Sonya Deville dealt with a scary incident in which obsessed fan Phillip Thomas drove from his home in South Carolina to the Tampa area with the intent to kidnap Deville while carrying a knife, zip ties, duct tape and mace — even breaking into her home.
Asuka has been off WWE television and out of action since getting injured in May 2024 and having knee surgery shortly after.
Asuka is currently a member of the Damage CTL faction, which is also dealing with injuries to Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai.
It remains unclear if and when Asuka could return to the ring, though Fightful Select reported WWE has made creative pitches around her.
WWE’s Asuka, the fierce and talented wrestler, recently took to social media to express her concerns about feeling in danger due to unwanted romantic advances from fans. Asuka, known for her incredible skills in the ring, made it clear that she values her privacy and personal space.
In a series of tweets, Asuka warned her fans to respect her boundaries and not cross the line by making inappropriate advances. She emphasized that she should not have to feel unsafe or uncomfortable while interacting with her fans, and that she deserves to be treated with respect.
It is important for fans to remember that wrestlers, like all public figures, are entitled to their personal space and boundaries. Asuka’s plea for respect should serve as a reminder to always approach interactions with celebrities with respect and consideration.
Let’s show our support for Asuka by respecting her wishes and treating her with the dignity and respect she deserves. Let’s continue to cheer her on in the ring and show our appreciation for her talent and hard work.
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WWE, Asuka, feeling in danger, fans, warning, romantic advances, wrestling, professional wrestling, women’s wrestling, WWE superstar, female wrestler, wrestling news, WWE rumors
IT IS Common lore in Silicon Valley that no company has a bigger moat than Nvidia, the world’s dominant supplier of chips for artificial intelligence (AI). That was true until January 27th, when a Chinese firm called DeepSeek, bearing an AI model that it said cost less than $6m to train, blew a nearly $600bn hole in the value of the semiconductor giant, marking the biggest one-day loss in the history of America’s stockmarket. Think of it as the 21st-century equivalent of a shot from a trebuchet, the medieval contraption capable of reducing castle walls to rubble. Have Nvidia’s defences finally been breached?
Nvidia, the leading graphics processing unit (GPU) manufacturer, has long enjoyed a near-monopoly in the market, allowing them to command premium prices and enjoy high profit margins. However, recent developments suggest that their dominance may be in danger.
One of the main reasons for this is the increasing competition in the GPU market. AMD, their main rival, has been gaining ground with their Radeon graphics cards, offering comparable performance at a lower price point. This has forced Nvidia to lower their prices in order to remain competitive, eating into their profit margins.
Furthermore, the rise of other competitors, such as Intel with their Xe graphics architecture, poses a threat to Nvidia’s market share. With more players entering the market, Nvidia may no longer be able to maintain their stranglehold on the industry and command the same premium prices.
Additionally, the increasing cost of research and development for new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, has put pressure on Nvidia’s margins. They are facing higher expenses in order to stay ahead in these emerging markets, which could further erode their profitability.
In order to remain competitive and protect their margins, Nvidia will need to continue innovating and diversifying their product offerings. They may need to focus on new markets and technologies to offset the increasing competition in the GPU market.
Overall, while Nvidia has long been the dominant player in the GPU market, they are now facing challenges that threaten their monopoly-like margins. It will be interesting to see how they adapt to these changes and whether they can maintain their position as a market leader in the long term.
ROME — Italy repatriated a Libyan warlord sought by the International Criminal Court due to security concerns, Italy’s interior minister told lawmakers Thursday in the government’s first official comment on its decision expel the suspect and not hand him over to face charges.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi fielded pointed questions from opposition lawmakers during a Senate session two days after Ossama Anjiem, also know as Ossama al-Masri, was flown on a government plane back to Tripoli, where he received a hero’s welcome. He had been arrested over the weekend in Turin after attending a soccer match.
Al-Masri was repatriated to Tripoli “for urgent security reasons, with my expulsion order, in view of the danger posed by the subject,’’ Piantedosi told the Senate. He refused to go into greater detail, citing a scheduled address to lawmakers next week.
Senators expressed dismay that Italy had ignored its obligations to the criminal court in the Netherlands to turn over criminal suspects. They repeated calls that Premier Giorgia Meloni respond to lawmakers’ questions in an open session.
The ICC warrant accused al-Masri of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2015 that are punishable with life in prison.
The ICC said he was accused of murder, torture, rape and sexual violence. It said the warrant was transmitted to member states on Saturday, including Italy, and that the court had also provided real-time information that he had entered Europe. The court said it had reminded Italy at the time to contact it “without delay” if it ran into any problems cooperating with the warrant.
But Rome’s court of appeals ordered al-Masri freed Tuesday, and he was sent back to Libya aboard an aircraft of the Italian secret services, because of what the appeals court said was a procedural error in his arrest. The ruling said Justice Minister Carlo Nordio should have been informed ahead of time, since the justice ministry handles all relations with the ICC. Nordio did not respond to lawmakers’ questions on Wednesday.
Italy has close ties to the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, on whom it relies to patrol its coasts and prevent waves of migrants from leaving. Any trial in The Hague of al-Masri could bring unwanted attention to Italy’s migration policies and its support of the Libyan coast guard, which it has financed to prevent migrants from leaving.
Human rights groups have documented gross abuses in the Libyan detention facilities where migrants are kept, and have accused Italy of being complicit in their mistreatment.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has defended his decision to expel Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), stating that Haftar posed a significant danger to Italy and its citizens.
Salvini made the controversial decision to deport Haftar after he arrived in Italy for medical treatment, despite being sought by the ICC for war crimes and human rights abuses in Libya. Salvini justified the move by claiming that Haftar’s presence in Italy would destabilize the country and potentially jeopardize the safety of its citizens.
The decision to expel Haftar has sparked outrage from human rights organizations and political leaders, who have accused Salvini of prioritizing political interests over justice and accountability. However, Salvini remains steadfast in his decision, stating that he will continue to take whatever measures necessary to ensure the safety and security of Italy.
The expulsion of Haftar has raised questions about Italy’s commitment to upholding international law and human rights standards, and has highlighted the complexities of dealing with individuals accused of serious crimes. Salvini’s actions have reignited debate over the balance between national security concerns and the pursuit of justice for atrocities committed in conflict zones.
The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for the NFC championship game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The Birds are one win away from returning to the Super Bowl.
At this stage of the season, every team is dealing with injuries to key contributors. The Eagles are dealing with injuries to Dallas Goedert and Cam Jurgens and will have Jalen Hurts playing with a knee brace.
For the Commanders, starting offensive lineman Sam Cosmi has already been ruled out with a knee injury earlier in the week. Washington released their final injury report on Friday, and they are at risk of being another starter down for Sunday’s clash. Per the report, starting defensive tackle Daron Payne is questionable to play with a knee and finger injury after missing this third straight practice.
This would be a big loss for the Commanders. Payne hasn’t missed a game for the Commanders in the past four seasons and has been one of their most reliable defenders. The former Pro Bowler played more snaps as an interior defender than any other Commander.
The Commanders already have a defensive line weakness. They struggle in stopping the run, ranking 29th in the league in terms of run defense and overall defensive grade per Pro Football Focus. Missing their most consistent player there will almost certainly have an impact for the Commanders.
In Payne’s absence, Jer’Zhan Newton and Sheldon Day should get an increased role. One of them will likely start opposite Jonathan Allen on the interior. Considering that all of these options ranked in the bottom half of eligible interior defenders this season per PFF, the Eagles should have a major opportunity to put up points on the board on Sunday.
More Eagles news and rumors:
The Washington Commanders’ playoff hopes have taken a major hit as their starting quarterback is now in danger of missing the NFC title game against the Philadelphia Eagles. With just days to go before the highly anticipated matchup, the Commanders are facing a potentially devastating blow to their championship aspirations.
The Commanders’ starting quarterback, who has been a crucial part of their success this season, suffered a significant injury during their last game and is now questionable for the upcoming NFC title game. This news has sent shockwaves through the organization and has left fans anxiously awaiting updates on the quarterback’s condition.
Without their starting quarterback, the Commanders’ chances of advancing to the Super Bowl have been significantly diminished. The team will now have to rely on their backup quarterback to lead them to victory against a tough Eagles team that has been playing at a high level all season.
As the Commanders prepare for their biggest game of the season, the uncertainty surrounding their starting quarterback’s availability has cast a dark cloud over their playoff run. Fans will have to wait and see if their beloved team can overcome this setback and keep their championship dreams alive.
PHOENIX — We’re warming up in the Valley this weekend!
Phoenix will hit the low 70s on Saturday and Sunday, which is right near normal for this time of the year.
Winds will stay light here in the Valley, but they’ll pick up across much of the rest of the state this weekend.
As conditions stay dry, those high winds will really increase fire danger. Red Flag Warnings (also known as Fire Weather Warnings) have been issued for the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday will be a bit breezy too as our next storm system approaches.
Rain and snow chances will start late Sunday night in the high country, but ramp up Monday through Wednesday as the core of this next storm tracks right through our state.
A Winter Storm Watch is into effect for portions of Mohave County from Sunday evening through Tuesday morning. Areas above 4,000 feet in elevation could potentially see two to five inches of snow.
Here in the Valley, there’s a chance of spotty showers Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Right now, it’s not looking like a lot of rain, but some neighborhoods could see up to a tenth of an inch.
As of Friday, January 24th, Phoenix has had 155 days in a row without measurable rain. That’s the second-longest dry streak on record.
If we don’t get any measurable rain at Sky Harbor soon, we could break the 1972 record of 160 dry days in a row.
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2025 Sky Harbor Official Rainfall to date: 0.00″ (-0.70″ from average) _________________________________________
2024 Sky Harbor Official Rainfall to date: 4.54″ (-2.68″ from average)
Monsoon 2024 Sky Harbor Official Rainfall: 0.74″ (-1.69″ from average) __________________________________________
Daily rainfall reports from all across the Valley can be found here. __________________________________________
PHOENIX IS GETTING DRIER – LOWER RAINFALL AVERAGES NOW
Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 2.71″ of rain
NEW Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 2.43″ of rain
Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 8:03″ of rain
NEW Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 7.22″ of rain __________________________________________
Share your weather photos and videos with us anytime:share@abc15.com. ______________________________________
Attention Arizona residents: Wildfire danger is high this weekend!
With dry and windy conditions expected, the risk of wildfires spreading quickly is elevated. It is crucial to be extra cautious when outdoors, especially in areas prone to wildfires.
Remember to:
– Avoid outdoor burning or using any type of fireworks
– Properly dispose of cigarettes and other flammable materials
– Follow all fire restrictions and regulations
– Report any signs of smoke or fire immediately
Stay safe and help prevent wildfires from spreading in our beautiful state. Your vigilance could make all the difference in protecting our communities and natural landscapes. #WildfireSafety #ArizonaWildfires #StaySafeAZ
The Kansas City Chiefs will try to get some revenge on the Buffalo Bills in Sunday’s AFC title game. The last time these two teams played each other, the Bills ended the Chiefs’ undefeated streak, winning 30-21.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 196 yards and three touchdowns but also tossed two interceptions in the loss. Meanwhile, Josh Allen posted 317 total yards, two total touchdowns, and an interception.
Therefore, whichever defense can get that critical stop or force turnover, could make a huge difference in the outcome. The Chiefs enter Sunday’s game at full strength on both sides of the ball, which is rare at this time of the year.
However, the Bills have a few notable injuries on defense, which could impact them on Sunday night.
On Thursday, Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network reported that Bills safety Taylor Rapp did not practice for the second straight day because of a hip injury. However, linebacker Matt Milano (hamstring soreness) and cornerback Christian Benford (concussion protocol) practiced again and made good progress.
Bills S Taylor Rapp (hip) didn’t practice for 2nd straight day. Shaping up as a big moment for rookie Cole Bishop in line to start for Rapp Sunday vs. Chiefs
LB Matt Milano (hamstring soreness), CB Christian Benford (concussion protocol) practiced again, continuing good progress
With Rapp missing his second consecutive practice, Buffalo will likely go with rookie defensive back Cole Bishop. Bishop did not play any defensive snaps in the wild-card round against the Denver Broncos but saw 33 defensive snaps in last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The rookie safety had three combined tackles in the divisional-round win. During the regular season, Bishop recorded 40 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 16 games (4 starts).
The second-round pick has struggled a little bit in pass coverage, allowing 18 completions on 25 targets and a 127.4 pass rating when targeted.
That said, you have to believe Andy Reid and Co. will try to get Bishop matched up with one of KC’s receivers or Travis Kelce. It wouldn’t be surprising to see KC take a couple of deep shots with Xavier Worthy or Hollywood Brown.
More Chiefs news and analysis:
The Buffalo Bills are facing a major setback ahead of their highly anticipated AFC Title Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Starting quarterback Josh Allen is now in danger of missing the crucial matchup due to a lingering injury.
Allen, who has been a key player for the Bills throughout the season, suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s Divisional Round win against the Baltimore Ravens. While he was able to finish the game, the injury has reportedly worsened in the days following.
Head coach Sean McDermott has remained tight-lipped about Allen’s status for the game, but sources close to the team have expressed concerns about his ability to play. Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been taking first-team reps in practice, signaling that the Bills are preparing for the possibility of Allen sitting out.
Losing Allen would be a significant blow to the Bills’ chances of advancing to the Super Bowl. The young quarterback has been a dynamic playmaker all season, leading the team to multiple comeback victories and setting franchise records along the way.
As Bills fans anxiously await official word on Allen’s status, the team must rally together and prepare for the possibility of facing the Chiefs without their star quarterback. The stakes are high, and the Bills will need to bring their A-game if they hope to pull off an upset and advance to the Super Bowl. Stay tuned for updates on Allen’s status as game day approaches.
The Philadelphia Eagles have punched their ticket to the NFC Championship game, but they might be entering the day with injuries to some major stars. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, and tight end Dallas Goedert are all dealing with significant ailments.
The good news is Hurts and Mitchell were part of the team’s walkthrough practice yesterday, which may mean they could be playing by week’s end. The bad news is Goedert might be in danger of missing the NFC Championship.
An update from Eagles practice: Dallas Goedert (ankle) is at practice today but it doesn’t look like he’s participating. Do not see Cam Jurgens (back) at all.
Initially, there were reports that Goedert was at practice, offering some good news for the injured tight end. Now, this new report from Dave Zangaro has indicated that the tight end is at practice but is not participating.
Should Goedert not participate, this would be his second DNP (did not practice) designation of the week. Having multiple DNP designations isn’t exactly proof that a player will not be able to suit up, but history does not favor players who miss multiple practices.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 19: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up on the field prior to the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on January… PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 19: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up on the field prior to the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
An earlier report from Mike Garafolo indicated that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni stated that both Goedert and Jurgens were set to practice. It appears that is not the case.
The Eagles might not be without Goedert, Jurgens, Hurts, and Mitchell.
It would be believed that Hurts would be out on the field but is dealing with a significant knee injury.
Hurts suffered a knee injury when the Eagles took on the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. After being rolled on, Hurts was seen limping to the sideline.
Hurts would eventually make it back on the field, but Mitchell did not. He was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Jurgens is dealing with a back injury, and Goedert has an ankle injury. This could mean that all four starters or potentially a few might miss the big game.
The Eagles cannot afford to face a Washington Commanders team down four starters, especially if one of those starters is Hurts. More information will come out via the official injury report, but Philadelphia is dealing with some adversity already.
The hope would be that Jurgens, Hurts, Mitchell, and Goedert will be ready to go by Sunday. However, any more DNP designations for any of them might lead to being sat for the important playoff showdown.
As the NFL Championship approaches, the Philadelphia Eagles have been hit with a potential setback as tight end Dallas Goedert is in danger of missing the big game.
Goedert, who has been a key player for the Eagles this season, suffered a knee injury in the team’s recent playoff game and his status for the Championship is uncertain. The talented tight end has been a reliable target for quarterback Jalen Hurts and his absence would be a significant blow to the team’s offense.
The Eagles will need to carefully monitor Goedert’s injury and make a decision on his availability for the Championship game. If he is unable to play, the team will have to rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by his absence.
Fans of the Eagles will be holding their breath as they wait for updates on Goedert’s injury status. The team’s hopes of winning the NFL Championship may hinge on his availability, so all eyes will be on his recovery in the coming days.
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The Santa Ana wind forecast for Southern California has worsened, with officials saying the conditions will bring the “risk of large fire growth” beginning Monday.
The National Weather Service office in Oxnard on Sunday issued the most extreme version of its red flag fire weather warning, known as a “particularly dangerous situation” alert.
A large swath of Los Angeles and Ventura counties is likely to be affected, including burn areas in Malibu and Altadena, weather service meteorologists said. They warned residents to prepare for the event, which is expected to start at noon Monday and continue until 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Gusts of 50 to 70 mph are forecast for the coasts and valleys. In the mountains and foothills, gusts from 60 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts of 100 mph, are expected.
“We’d encourage people to prepare that evacuation plan for you, your loved one, pets — pack essentials, get that emergency go-bag ready just in case. Fill up gas for cars and generators, secure outdoor items and adjust travel plans,” said Rose Schoenfeld, a weather service meteorologist.
In addition to Malibu and Altadena, the warning includes Burbank, Santa Clarita, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Azusa. Ojai and Pasadena fall outside the boundary, Schoenfeld said.
The National Weather Service said its extreme version of a red flag warning would go into effect Monday for parts of L.A. and Ventura counties. (National Weather Service)
A conventional red flag warning — indicating critical fire weather conditions and rapid fire spread with any new ignition — is already in effect for wide swaths of the counties of Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura from 10 a.m. Monday through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The new alert is an unprecedented fifth issuance of a “particularly dangerous situation” enhancement to a red flag warning in a single season by the weather service’s Oxnard office, which covers Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
The first three times the office issued that warning were followed by fires igniting and spreading rapidly — the 19,904-acre Mountain fire in Ventura County in November, which razed 243 structures; the 4,037-acre Franklin fire, which spread rapidly in Malibu and destroyed 20 buildings in December; and this month’s Palisades and Eaton fires, among the most destructive and deadliest in modern California history.
The weather service in Oxnard started issuing “particularly dangerous situation” warnings only in 2020. It sent out two that year, in October and December. No others were issued until November 2024.
Over the weekend, firefighters raced against the new threat of powerful winds to increase containment of the wildfires still burning in Pacific Palisades and Altadena — areas that fall under the red flag warning.
As of Sunday, the Palisades fire, which has burned more than 23,700 acres and killed at least 10 people, was 56% contained, according to the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Eaton fire, which has charred more than 14,000 acres and killed at least 17 people, was 81% contained.
There are still 27 people reported missing: 20 from the Eaton fire and seven from the Palisades, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Late Sunday, there were still communities near the Palisades fire that remained under evacuation orders, though areas where residents, and only residents, were being allowed in had expanded to the Palisades Highlands, with daily escorts at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Evacuation warnings were lifted in other areas.
Meanwhile in Altadena, areas north of Mendocino and Harriet streets remained under evacuation orders. South of that, the area north of Woodbury Road between Lincoln Avenue, on the west, and Lake Avenue, on the east, was still under an evacuation warning Sunday night.
The Altadena sheriff’s station remained closed after concerns about airborne contaminants sparked a California Division of Occupational Safety and Health complaint last week, though Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday that he expected it would reopen in the early part of this week.
More than 2,700 federal and state fire personnel continued to battle the Eaton fire Sunday — slightly fewer than the day before as some fire crews were relieved from duty. Carlos Herrera, L.A. County Fire Department public information officer, said officials would continue to release firefighters — who have come from all around the country as well as Canada and Mexico — as containment increases.
But the department will remain in communication with weather experts to staff appropriately, “especially in Altadena in Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson — some spots where we’re looking on getting containment,” Herrera said. “We have plenty of resources.”
At a Sunday afternoon town hall, Cal Fire Operations Section Chief Jed Gaines echoed that sentiment — but with a hint of concern in light of the forecast for the days ahead.
“We are confident that this fire is going to stay within the current footprint it sits today,” he said, “but we are concerned if there are new starts in the area.”
More than 5,600 fire personnel remained attached to the Palisades fire Sunday, roughly the same number as the day before.
Melanie Miller, the Palisades incident’s public information officer, said crews were doing “contingency planning” in preparation for more wind, and were in a waiting stage to see whether a change in action would be needed or if some resources could be released.
Other regions affected by the warning include Santa Monica and the San Gabriel Valley. Areas outside the red flag warning zone include the L.A. Basin, such as downtown L.A., Torrance and Long Beach, and coastal San Diego and Orange counties.
Malibu resident Kathy King was bracing for what might come with the winds.
“I’m concerned we’re going to have a replay of what we saw a week ago, 10 days ago,” she said Sunday while grocery shopping. “We know once a fire gets started, it’s very hard to turn it around.”
Her home near Point Dume survived the Woolsey fire in 2018, when nearly all the others on her street burned. But the Palisades fire destroyed the real estate office where she works in Pacific Palisades. The new weather warning has her on high alert.
“I can’t even sleep when they predict that because I think I’ve got to be ready to jump in the car,” King said.
Michelle Harrison and her husband lost their home in an unincorporated area of L.A. County just outside the Malibu city limits when the Palisades fire erupted Jan. 7.
Now, Harrison fears for those who could face even more threatening weather in Malibu this week.
“It’s just tragic,” she said. “I hope they have enough firefighters here, which I think they do now, to stop” any fires that might break out in the coming days.
Red flag warnings, which indicate critical fire weather and rapid spread should ignition occur, are expected to be in effect for large swaths of Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties starting Monday. (National Weather Service)
With this being more of a traditional Santa Ana wind event, which sees winds coming out of the east to northeast, Ventura County will be an area of great concern.
In L.A. County, the areas of greatest concern include the western San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the western San Gabriel Mountains and the Grapevine section of Interstate 5.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture; adjust travel times between Monday night and Tuesday morning; charge up electronics, flashlights and battery packs; fill up the fuel tanks of emergency generators; and move cars away from trees that appear fragile, Schoenfeld said.
(National Weather Service)
Experts warn people against keeping certain items within 5 feet of your home, such as outdoor furniture, umbrellas, garbage and recycling bins. Getting rid of all dead or living weeds is also a good idea, as is clearing gutters, roofs, decks, porches and stairways of flammable materials such as leaves and needles.
“And then when wind does start, stay away from trees, windows. And use extreme caution, again, with anything that could start a fire,” Schoenfeld said.
(National Weather Service)
Gusts could be so powerful they could knock over big rigs and motor homes and trigger power outages that could last days, the weather service said. And on Sunday evening, county public health officials issued a windblown dust and ash advisory, warning that the expected gusts could disperse ash throughout the county and reduce air quality — particularly in areas downwind of recent burn scars.
Very dry conditions are expected all week, with the driest Tuesday, the weather service said. Relative humidity could fall to as low as 5% in the western San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Fillmore.
Fire weather concerns will persist through the week, Schoenfeld said, with more Santa Ana winds possible by Thursday. The weather service could end the red flag warning Tuesday or extend it through Thursday.
There is some chance of rain in about a week. But, at this point, it doesn’t appear to be the kind of soaking that would be needed to end the fire season, Schoenfeld said.
There’s around a 50% to 70% chance of rain from Jan. 25 to 27, Schoenfeld said, and a 20% to 30% chance of thunderstorms.
“It doesn’t look like a really thoroughly wetting rain for a broad scope of the area,” Schoenfeld said. “That’s honestly bad news for our fire weather season going forward.”
Times staff writers Melody Gutierrez and Libor Jany contributed to this report.
Southern California is currently facing one of the most urgent warnings for strong winds and extreme fire danger. With gusts reaching up to 70 miles per hour in some areas, the potential for wildfires to spread quickly and uncontrollably is incredibly high.
Residents are being urged to exercise extreme caution and avoid any activities that could spark a fire, such as outdoor burning or using equipment that could create sparks. It is also important to have an emergency plan in place and be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain any fires that do break out, but the combination of strong winds and dry conditions is making their job incredibly challenging. It is crucial that everyone does their part to prevent fires and protect their communities.
Please stay informed and stay safe during this dangerous weather event. Your actions could make all the difference in preventing a devastating wildfire from occurring.
“Another three-hour match, back to back against the youngsters,” Djokovic said after his four-set, second-round win over 21-year-old Jaime Faria, which came two days after his four-set win over a 19-year-old qualifier.
If Djokovic sounds proud of his stamina at 37, he has a right to be. But he’ll likely want to clean up the rest of his game a little against the 24-year-old, 26th-seeded Machac.
The Czech is not only young, he can bash a ball from the baseline with the best of them, including Djokovic. They’ve played twice, both matches have gone three sets, and each man has won once. In the seven months since they last faced each other, Machac has shown even more upside; in Shanghai last October, he outhit and upset Carlos Alcaraz.
Two things may help Djokovic. Traditionally, the third round is when he begins to put his game in cruise control at the Slams. The early, ragged, four-set wins turn into more polished straight-setters. And while Machac is 13 years younger, he’s coming off a long, five-set struggle with Reilly Opelka.
Machac is a dangerous opponent for Djokovic, but I’m not ready to bet on him winning over best of five. Winner: Djokovic
As the Australian Open heats up, many tennis fans are wondering if top players like Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, or Novak Djokovic are in danger of being upset in the tournament. With tough competition and unpredictable outcomes, anything can happen on the court. Stay tuned to see if these tennis superstars can navigate their way through the Australian Open unscathed.
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