New Years Partiers May Be to Blame For Horrific Los Angeles Wildfire That's Killed 24 and Climbing, New Analysis Suggests

A new analysis is raising the possibility that the deadly Palisades Fire that is blazing through large parts of Los Angeles was a result of the reignition of a previous fire that was likely started by partygoers on New Year's Eve.

Concretely, the Washington Post reviewed a series of radio transmissions between firefighters discussing the matter as flames began to spread. "It looks like it's going to make a good run," one of the voices said, according to the report.

The outlet explained that the foot of the fire started in the same area where firefighters spent hours battling a fire on January 1, increasing the chances of a reignition, something that can happen on windy conditions.

In fact, California authorities launched a social media campaign last summer warning that seemingly extinguished fires could generate new ones days or weeks after being put out, as fire can continue underground or inside wood.

The original fire is believed to have been caused by fireworks launched in the Temescal Ridge in the Santa Monica Mountains. It initially covered between three and four acres and spread slowly, allowing helicopters to put it out with water drops.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading the investigation, with a spokesperson saying the formal inquiry has not begun yet. It did say that "ATF certified fire investigators did an initial survey of the area." The Los Angeles Fire Department said it wouldn't comment about ongoing investigations.

Officials said determining the cause of the fires, which have already claimed at least 24 lives and thousands of structures, could take weeks or even months. Investigators are already speaking with people close to the area and searching through evidence. A resident told the Washington post that the initial fire that the fire was "started by idiots" on New Year's Eve.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that conditions in Los Angeles are expected to worsen significantly over the next hours, and could hamper any progress made in combating the wildfires blazing through the area.

Concretely, the NWS warned of a "particularly dangerous situation" beginning on Monday. It includes sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts in the mountains going up as high as 70 mph. The situation is expected to continue through Wednesday, with Tuesday being the worst day, according to fire analyst Dennis Burns.

There is a chance that aircraft won't be able to contribute to firefighting efforts due to high winds during the extreme weather event. L.A. County Fire Battalion Chief Christian Litz explained that, in that case, firefighters have built a "bit of a barrier in time for crews to get in there."