SANTA ANA winds are pushing fires in Los Angeles County (City of Santa Monica photo).

Fires pushed by strong winds are causing evacuations, threatening lives and property in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the blaze has grown to nearly 3,000 acres and sent thousands of people – at least 30,000 – are fleeing.

While no outbreaks have been reported in Orange County, a “Red Alert” has been announced for inland and mountainous areas of the OC because of weather conditions.

In Los Angeles County, wind gusts of 50 to 70 miles an hour have been tracked and expected to reach a peak at 10 p.m. and continue through 5 a.m. Wednesday.

A “number” of structures have been destroyed and no fatalities have been reported, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Los Angeles Fire Department is also on the scene, and additional help is expected from other agencies.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

President Joe Biden has ordered federal assistance to cope with the crisis.

Trump on Panama, Greenland

The use of military force or economic pressure to seize the Panama Canal and Greenland was not ruled out Tuesday by President-elect Donald Trump.

PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP (Shutterstock).

At a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump answered a question from a reporter by saying, “I’m not going to commit to that. It might be that you’ll have to do something,” according to the Associated Press. He went on to say, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”

The canal is located in the nation of Panama and Greenland is territory belonging to Denmark, a partner with the U.S in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Trump claimed the canal is actually control by China.

In earlier remarks, Trump suggested – perhaps facetiously – that Canada become the 51th U.S. state.

House passes deportation bill

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION remained in the news on Tuesday (Shutterstock).

A bill to deport undocumented immigrants who have been charged with non-violent offenses passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

According to The New York Times, the bill passed by a margin of 264-159, with 48 Democrats in support.

“This bill is more than just a piece of legislation,” said Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota). “And under President Trump’s leadership, there will be a lot more where that came from.”

Its passage by the full Congress is not certain. Sixty “yes” votes are needed in the Senate to take the bill up for a vote, and Republicans control 53.

Weather: Windy times ahead

A “Red Flag Warning” has been issued for Orange County through Wednesday with high Santa Ana winds. Most of the danger is to inland parts of the county, but other areas may be affected as well. Wind could reach speeds of 35 to 45 mile an hour, with some gusts up to 75 mph.

Wednesday should have a daytime high of 70 with an overnight low of 45 under partly cloudy skies. Thursday will be similar at 69 (48) but with sun. Friday and Saturday should be sunny with cooling daytime temperatures of 67 to 62 degrees.

Great Thoughts

“Give me your tired, your poor
Your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
– Emma Lazarus, poet.