Fears for Harry and Meghan’s $40m mansion as fires close in

Harry and Meghan’s $40 million mansion was on the edge of a wildfire evacuation zone on Tuesday night as strong winds risked wreaking further devastation on Los Angeles.

The couple’s hometown of Montecito was placed under a red-flag warning as Santa Ana winds – branded the ‘Devil Winds’ – were forecast, which could cause “explosive fire growth”.

Wednesday could be one of the most dangerous yet for the deadly LA fires, with winds set to reach up to 70mph.

Montecito fire department warned the gales could cause fires to “behave erratically” and told locals to be “ready to evacuate”.

This means Harry and Meghan, who just days ago opened their doors to friends fleeing the fires, could be forced to leave their sprawling nine-bedroom home.

Meghan, 43, and Harry, 40, have rallied around fire victims by donating to relief efforts through their Archewell Foundation and at the weekend served meals to survivors with embattled California governor Gavin Newsom’s wife.

Their visit saw the Sussexes labelled “disaster tourists”.

Meghan has also postponed the launch of her upcoming Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, due to the crisis.

Montecito is a celebrity enclave to the north of LA, home to stars including Oprah Winfrey.

The Sussexes moved there in 2020.

The LA county sheriff has warned that the next 24 hours would be “very dangerous”.

Since the blazes started on January 7, the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires have consumed about 63 square miles, killing 24.

At least 23 people are also missing.

The Palisades Fire is 17 per cent contained and the Eaton Fire 35 per cent.

Investigators are trying to determine what caused the fires, which could be the nation’s costliest ever.

AccuWeather, a company that provides data on weather and its impact, puts economic losses at $250billion to $275billion.

Police on Tuesday released photos of dozens of suspects accused of looting homes and stores in the Pacific Palisades enclave.

More than 40 have been charged with various offences since the fires broke out.

None of those arrested was living in the evacuation zone and seemingly travelled to take advantage of the devastation.

Santa Monica police said ten burglary suspects were detained in the Palisades Fire evacuation zone and six of those arrested had “burglary tools”.

The latest red-flag warning was declared for the majority of southern California, extending from Ventura County to San Diego County.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass said winds were predicted to be “close to hurricane-force level”.

Fire-fighting planes were also grounded due to the warnings.

David Acuna, battalion chief at the California department of forestry and fire protection, said: “It’s unsafe for the aircraft, the personnel and, of course, for the people on the ground, not to mention that if we release retardant at that level with 70mph winds, it’s just going to turn into a mist that blows away without being effective.”