As the investigation into the devastating Palisades Fire continues, early indications show the blaze was probably not natural in origin.
Two leading theories have emerged, the Los Angeles Times reports. Investigators believe an 8-acre blaze that was extinguished in the same area on New Year’s Day somehow “reignited and spread because of intense winds,” or a new fire was started nearby.
Either way, “sources have told The Times the blaze appears to have human origins,” the newspaper reports.
The New Year’s Day fire, the Lachman Fire, may have been started by fireworks at about 12:15 a.m., though officials believed it was put out that same day.
On Jan. 7, fire officials confirmed that they were responding to that same area for the Palisades Fire.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has promised that if the Lachman Fire somehow reignited despite firefighters’ efforts to confirm it was out, the public will be informed.
“We won’t leave a fire that has any hot spots. But with that, I will tell you that the investigation, the team that we have on board right now, will be able to determine whether or not that did indeed happen,” Crowley told residents during a forum. ”I can look you in the eye and tell you that full disclosure if that indeed is what they find out, we will tell you that.”
