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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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A local climate science expert has been praised as a "hero" after his calls for evacuations in Los Angeles helped save hundreds of lives.
The meteorologist Edgar McGregor warned Los Angeles residents that the wildfires would quickly worsen after predicting the changes in wind conditions that spread the blaze.
Newsweek contacted McGregor for more information on his preparations for the fires via email.
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Why It Matters
The Southern California wildfires have forced more than 70,000 people to be evacuated, and have killed at least 25 people, after dry conditions and winds pushed the fires toward urban areas in Los Angeles. Evacuations like those prompted by McGregor have been key in preventing further loss of life.
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What To Know
Edgar McGregor is a 24-year-old amateur climatologist, living in Altadena. He is the leader of the "Altadena Weather And Climate" Facebook group, which he used to post warnings about the incoming wildfires.
McGregor studied climate science at San Jose State University, and prior to the fires, he regularly hiked in the Eaton Canyon, clearing up litter.
When the canyon became the source of the Eaton fire, McGregor began investigating wind conditions around the blaze, and realized that the fire could quickly spread toward his neighborhood in northern Los Angeles.
"The fire was in a location where we actually see wind tunneling, where winds are squeezed as they go through the canyons of Southern California," McGregor told NPR.
"We saw winds of 70 miles an hour that night. And I—when I got the location of where the fire began, I knew this was not going to be good."
On the Facebook group, McGregor started posting updates, warning residents that the fire could spread quickly and that they should prepare to evacuate.
In the wake of the fires, dozens of Los Angeles residents credited McGregor with saving lives and helping them prepare for the fires.
What People Are Saying
Los Angeles resident Susan Hopkins wrote on the Facebook group: "I want to give a shoutout to Edgar McGregor for saving so many lives. Everywhere I go in Pasadena, I run into people who tell me that this 24-year-old guy on the internet told them this was going to happen a week and a half ago and they were ready to go. And they left and they were safe.
"I would like to see who here made the smart choice to leave because of Edgar McGregor. We need to show him our appreciation."
Another resident, Ali Glasser, wrote on the group: "I will never stop repeating that you saved thousands of lives."
What Happens Next
Investigators are continuing their work to determine the cause of the massive fires in the Los Angeles area. State authorities and federal agencies like FEMA are leading the immediate disaster response.
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