This browser does not support the Video element.
LOS ANGELES - Firefighters moved into the Los Angeles area Monday as more powerful winds were expected to start new wildfires that could affect the recent progress made in containing blazes that have killed at least 24 people.
Crews and equipment arrived from across the U.S., and from Canada and Mexico — including water trucks and planes that drop firefighting chemicals, according to the Associated Press.
The National Weather Service is predicting that fire conditions will last through Wednesday, with wind gusts in the mountains reaching 65 mph.
An Arcadia fire truck is pictured on Jan. 8, 2025. (Credit: Cal Fire/Flickr)
Strong Santa Ana winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires sparked last week into fires that have destroyed neighborhoods around Los Angeles where there has been no significant rainfall in more than eight months.
In less than a week, four fires around Los Angeles have ignited over 62 square miles. Most of the destruction has been from the Eaton Fire near Pasadena and the Palisades Fire.
Search for wildfire victims continues
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday that at least two dozen were missing.
Luna told reporters that he understands that people are eager to return to their homes and neighborhoods to survey the damage, but he asked for their patience. "We have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors," he said.
Residents warned to stay out of disaster zones
LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley encouraged residents to stay away from burned neighborhoods that are filled with broken gas lines, and unstable buildings that still don't have power.
The Associated Press noted that officials also said that the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials.
A little under 100,000 residents in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders, half the number from last week. Most in the Palisades area won't be able to return until red flag warnings expire Wednesday evening.
Looting, fundraising scams under investigation
Dozens of people have been arrested for looting after the wildfires. Officials tell the Associated Press that they are now starting to see price gouging and scams.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told the AP Monday that price gouging has been happening with hotels and short-term rentals and medical supplies. Scammers are also contacting people for fake fundraising efforts, he said.
Here’s what to know:
Status of LA fires
- Palisades Fire: 23,713 acres burned, 14% contained
- Eaton Fire: 14,117 acres burned, 33% contained
- Hurst Fire: 799 acres burned, 95% contained
Fire risk high this week
This browser does not support the Video element.
More heavy winds to hit L.A. this week amid fires
Alex Tardy, National Weather Service San Diego Meteorologist, joins LiveNOW's Andy Mac to forecast the strong winds set to take aim at Southern California this week as crews battle multiple wildfires.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph.
The most dangerous day will be Tuesday, warned fire behavior analyst Dennis Burns at a community meeting on Sunday night.
"It will kind of ebb and flow over the next couple days," Burns said. "(Monday) night, it will really ramp up."
Spotting — or new fires caused by blowing embers — could happen as much as 2 miles or more downwind of areas that have already burned, Burns said.
LA fires: By the numbers
The fires that began Tuesday just north of downtown LA had burned more than 12,000 structures. No cause for the largest fires was determined.
Early estimates suggest they could be the nation's costliest ever, as much as $150 billion, according to an AccuWeather estimate.
About 150,000 people in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders as of Sunday, with more than 700 residents taking refuge in nine shelters, officials said.
Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes nearly 1,400 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico.
The Source: This story was written based on information from the Los Angeles County medical examiner, Los Angeles Fire Department officials, the National Weather Service, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It was reported from Cincinnati, and the Associated Press contributed.