LA Fires: Hurricane-Force Winds Fan Embers; Dozens Dead And Still Missing

LOS ANGELES, CA — Firefighters are entering day seven of a battle against two catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles, as incoming "hurricane-force" winds threaten to hamper efforts to contain the blazes that have killed at least 24 people.

Since the fires ignited after the arrival of last week's windstorm, the coastal Palisades Fire has claimed eight lives, while the inland Eaton Fire has killed 16 people, the LA County medical examiner's office said. At least 23 people are still missing, but authorities expect that number to rise.

"We are in the third day of grid searching. It is a very grim task, and unfortunately, every day we're doing this, we're running across the remains of individual community members," LA Sheriff Robert Luna said on Monday morning. "We have people saying ‘I just want to go look at my house and see what’s left.’ We know that, but we have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors."

Meanwhile, 34 people have been arrested within fire zones on suspicion of looting, curfew violation or other crimes, Luna said.

At 2 p.m. on Monday, newly elected LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges against 10 suspects who had been arrested. Nine of those suspects were charged with looting, while one man in Azusa was charged with arson. In one case, an Emmy Award was stolen from a resident but was later recovered.

"We are aware that other crimes have occurred. We are aware of some of the individuals that are involved," Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief Blake Chow said. "I anticipate that we will be announcing additional arrests in the very near future."

Sheriff Luna issued yet another stern warning to stay out of curfew areas.

"We're coming up with narcotics, we're coming up with individuals who are carrying guns. And guess what? None of them live in this area. So what are they doing there?" he said of those apprehended in active evacuation zones.

Over the weekend, firefighters were able to gain more ground on the largest fires, despite more fire-spreading winds and a flare-up of the Palisades Fire that spurred mass evacuations in Brentwood and Encino.

In Altadena, where the Eaton Fire has leveled whole neighborhoods, the community was still closed to the public amid dangerous conditions. However, crews were able to clear lines of vegetation around the fire it while cutting down fallen trees, and prepping for the latest rounds of wind.

"In my career, I've never seen the amount of devastation and destruction that exists here," Section Chief Ernie Villa said.

As of 7:30 p.m., here's the latest:

• The Palisades Fire has burned 23,713 acres and is 14% contained. READ LATEST.
• The Eaton Fire has burned 14,117 acres and is 33% contained. READ LATEST.
• LA DA Nathan Hochman announced that charges have been filed against 10 people — nine on suspicion of looting and one person in connection with arson. In one case, an Emmy Award was stolen from a resident but was later recovered.
• Sheriff Luna issued yet another stern warning to stay out of curfew areas: "We're going to get you."
• The following beaches are closed amid contamination: Malibu Point at Surfrider Beach, Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker, and inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.
• More evacuations could be in store for LA on Monday as "hurricane-force" winds return.
• See current highway closures near the Palisades Fire here.
• See the areas at risk of power shutoffs as winds pick up, here.
• A FireAid benefit concert will be held at the end of the month to gather much-needed funds for Angelenos. READ LATEST.
• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials reminded customers returning to their homes in Pacific Palisades ZIP code 90272 and adjacent communities north of San Vicente Boulevard that a "Do Not Drink" notice is in effect for tap water until further notice.
• With air quality suffering due to the region's wildfires, the city of Los Angeles announced that N95 masks are now available at all city public libraries, recreation centers and senior centers.
• The Los Angeles area's 12 professional sports organizations have combined to pledge more than $8 million in donations, according to numbers compiled by the Dodgers. READ MORE.
• USC President Carol Folt announced the creation of the Trojan Family Relief Fund to assist university students, faculty and staff impacted by the area's wildfires.
• In an effort to secure $2.5 billion in additional funding for ongoing emergency response efforts in the L.A. region, Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday expanded a special session of the California Legislature. READ MORE.
• The Weeknd canceled his upcoming concert and pushed back his album release "out of respect and concern" for wildfire victims. READ MORE.

Firefighters across Southern California are bracing for "extremely dangerous" weather this week as powerful Santa Ana winds and bone-dry air threaten to intensify existing wildfires and spark new blazes in a region already devastated by fire.

“The National Weather Service is predicting close-to hurricane-force winds, so we’re making urgent preparations,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at a Monday news conference.

The winds are sweeping back into a weary Los Angeles County, where wildfire-related deaths have climbed to at least 24 this week.

The National Weather Service issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning" for Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties, in effect from Monday night through Wednesday morning. Forecasters warned that hurricane-force wind gusts could reach up to 70 mph in some areas on Tuesday, particularly in mountain passes and canyons, while relative humidity levels remain low.

LA County Lindsey Horvath noted on Monday that "this was the prediction the National Weather Service had going into last week’s event."

With more firefighers headed to LA on Monday, officials say they are better positioned to face this wind event.

“We’re absolutely better prepared for this coming,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Monday.

But Marrone warned that the strong winds could prevent airplanes from fighting the blazes from above, just as they did last week.

“We’re never sure that we’re gong to catch the next fire and keep it small,” he said, urging residents to have their pets, documents and other important items ready in case of evacuations.

With no rain in sight, residents across the county were on edge Monday, anxiously bracing for the possibility that an already historic disaster could worsen as similarly dangerous winds that sparked the Eaton and Palisades fires were set to return.

"With the dry conditions and winds increasing, it's possible that evacuation orders may increase," Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief Dominic Choi said Monday. "I know overnight we saw some of the evacuation orders turned into warnings, but we can absolutely see some of these order areas increase to mandatory evacuations again."

What's more, tens of thousands of residents could be in for another round of public safety shutoffs, implemented by power utilities across the region to prevent more fires from sparking.

More than 530,000 residents across Southern California were at risk of losing power during the windstorm, officials said. But that number only accounts for safety shutoffs and not others that could be caused by fire or wind.

In anticipation of more power shutoffs, the National Weather Service urged residents in Los Angeles and Ventura counties to have multiple ways of getting online notifications amid the threat of more fires.

"I ask all Los Angeles County residents in wildfire-prone areas to understand that the necessary public safety power shut-offs are important for our collective safety in preventing the next wildfire natural disaster," said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.

READ MORE:

• SoCal Braces For Extremely Dangerous, Hurricane-Force Winds Amid Fires
  
• These Are The Areas At Risk Of Power Shutoffs As Winds Pick Up, Fires Rage In SoCal
• FireAid Benefit Concert Aims To Support LA Wildfire Victims

Interactive maps show locations of damaged homes

LA County Recovers, a government-run program, posted interactive maps on its website that show homes and other structures that have been damaged.

The maps for the Eaton and Palisades fires allow users to click on an icon and get a description of the type of structure, such as a home or commercial building, and the type of damage, such as “major” or “destroyed.”

Addresses may be entered into a search bar to find a specific location. Users can also see photos of the damaged buildings.

Officials warn against looting and price gouging

Nearly three dozen people accused of looting have been arrested for taking things from damaged homes and businesses, authorities said.

“We’re starting to see the criminal emerge," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at a news conference Monday.

Price gouging has become an issue with hotels, short-term rentals and medical supplies. Scammers are also soliciting donations for bogus relief efforts, authorities said.

"It is illegal. You cannot do it," said Attorney General Rob Bonta over the weekend.

Bonta warned that perpetrators would be arrested, prosecuted, spend up to a year in jail and/or pay a $10,000 fine. Those who witness or experience price gouging — from gas stations to rental units — should report it here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.