More wind may bring more fires

Strong winds are forecast to return to the Los Angeles area on Tuesday, with the possibility of new wildfires.

According to the Associated Press, the National Weather Service has issued “Red Flag Warnings” for “severe fire conditions” based on an expectation that sustained winds of up to 50 miles an hour would batter the certain areas of Los Angeles County, perhaps through Wednesday,

So far, at least 24 people have died; a figure that is expected to increase. Four fires have burnt over 62 miles.

The Palisades Fire is considered to be 14 percent contained and the Eaton fire 33 percent contained.

Gaza cease-fire deal close?

Is a”cease-fire” deal to release some hostages held by Hamas “on the brink” of being reached?

United Press International is reporting that senior State Department officials are saying that the terms of such an arrangement could be finalized in the next day or so.

The deal would come in three parts, with the first of the hostages being released would be those considered the humanitarian, including women, children, the ill and men over 55. Two of the seven American hostages should be in that group.

The release of the second group would follow. The cease-fire deal would reportedly allow Israeli forces to have a presence along the Egypt-Gaza border and another inside Gaza.

Sports: Rams beat Vikings 27-9

Despite a “home game” in Glendale, Arizona, the Los Angeles Rams seemed very comfortable in Monday night’s NFL wild card round game, routing the Minnesota Vikings 27-9.

They jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead and never looked back. Matt Stafford passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

Kyren Williams rushed for 76 yards and caught a TD pass, but the real hero was the Ram defense, which sacked Vikings QB Sam Darnold nine times and intercepted him once.

The Rams (11-7) now advance to the divisional round where they will visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 19.

Weather: Warmer, then cold!

Mother Nature is going to give us in the West Orange County area a trip through the seasons in four days. Tuesday will start with a daytime high of 68 and an overnight low of 45 under sunny skies. Wednesday will warm to 71 (47) with more sun. But the summer weather will give way to autumn on Thursday at 65 (46) under partly cloudy skies, followed by a wintry Friday at 61 (50) but some sun. Sneak preview: Saturday’s daytime high is forecast to dip to 59. Brrrr….