The deadly Palisades Fire was 22% contained today as a much-feared Santa Ana wind event wound down without dramatically impacting the firefight, and residents were allowed to return home in select neighborhoods that had been evacuated due to the blaze.
As of Thursday morning, the fire that erupted Jan. 7 had scorched 23,713 acres, according to Cal Fire. It was 18% contained Tuesday evening, but crews were able to take advantage of favorable weather conditions to build containment in recent days, reaching 22% Thursday morning.
Red flag warnings of critical fire danger had been in place over the burn area — and much of the Southland — through 6 p.m. Wednesday, with some areas under the alert until Thursday afternoon…