San Diego scientists are collecting samples of ash from California's coast to measure how toxins and urban debris from the Los Angeles wildfires could affect nearby fisheries and the food webs of local ecosystems.

The Palisades and Eaton fires have burned nearly 40,000 acres and damaged or destroyed about 12,000 structures.

Climate scientists PolitiFact spoke to disagreed with Trump Jr. and said climate change contributed to the Los Angeles fires’ size and destructiveness. Numerous studies have linked human-caused climate change to the western U.S.’ worsening wildfires.

Over 50,000 under evacuation orders or warnings as a new fast-moving wildfire swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles.

Fire has always played a crucial role in Southern California’s ecosystem, which features dry conditions and strong, hot desert winds called the Santa Anas, which blow from the east each winter. Many native plants require periodic burning to germinate,

The US National Weather Service has warned that hurricane-force winds had the potential of fuelling the already raging wildfires. Red flag warnings from Central California to the Mexican border remain in place until late Wednesday.

NOAA Fisheries’ scientists will watch for potential effects on fisheries and marine life, including anchovy eggs abundant in waters downwind of the fires. They have collected samples both before and after the eggs were exposed to ash and other debris, for any change in their number and distribution or any effects on their early development.

On Wednesday at 3:18 p.m. an updated air quality alert was issued valid until Thursday at 6 p.m. The alert is for Ventura County Beaches, Ventura County Inland Coast, Central Ventura County Valleys and Southeastern Ventura County Valleys.

The fires began on Jan. 7, 2025, what seemed like a regular Tuesday morning, fueled by historic gusts of Santa Ana winds.

Less than an inch of rain fell in most areas, but it was enough to loosen Los Angeles hillsides burned bare by the recent blaze near the Pacific Palisades.

Officials cautioned that ash in recent burn zones was a toxic mix of incinerated cars, electronics, batteries, building materials, paints, furniture and other household items.