Palisades Fire: Firefighters Have 'Productive' 24 Hours Despite Santa Ana Winds

6:30 a.m. UPDATE: The Palisades Fire held at 23,713 acres overnight and is now 19% contained, a slight improvement despite the threat of high-speed winds.

ORIGINAL STORY:

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Firefighters managed to hold the Palisades Fire at 23,713 acres with 18% containment Tuesday, despite the threat of surging Santa Ana winds.

"We've had a productive 24 hours, I'm happy to report that today the fire has remained in its footprint — no growth," Cal Fire Capt. Jim Hudson said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

Despite that, the threat posed by the latest Santa Ana wind event is not over, officials said.

"Weak to moderate" winds are expected through Wednesday evening, when National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson said the critical fire conditions will diminish.

Officials warned that residents susceptible to public safety power shutoffs should be prepared to have their power cut Tuesday night and those near the Palisades fire should be ready to evacuate if conditions shift.

"The worst winds are predicted today into Wednesday," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Tuesday morning.

Dry winds howled early Tuesday morning up to 50 miles per hour in the mountains around LA, said meteorologist Todd Hall of the National Weather Service.

Residents must be prepared for the impact of the winds, officials warned.

"This is a particularly dangerous situation from now until tomorrow. The strongest winds will be this evening. We ask that everyone get prepared now to evacuate," county Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.

On Monday, crews focused their efforts on protecting homes in the Mandeville Canyon area and snuffing out hot spots, officials said.

On Tuesday, "firefighters will continue to work tirelessly throughout the day to increase containment lines, prevent further spread and address flareups," Crowley said.

SEE ALSO: Any New Blaze Could 'Explode' In Size Amid Peak Wind Warnings Tuesday: LA Fires

Dead And Missing People

At least eight people have died in the week-old Palisades Fire, although authorities said they anticipate the number of fatalities to continue rising as crews begin sifting through the ash and rubble.

Over the weekend, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office identified one of the victims as 84-year-old Charles Mortimer, who died at a hospital of acute myocardial infarction and effects of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said the agency has investigated 34 missing-person reports tied to the fire — 21 of them have been found safe, two are believed to be dead but awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner, and 11 remain unaccounted for.

Destroyed Structures

At least 5,000 structures are believed to have been destroyed or damaged in the blaze that has been burning since Jan. 7. That number is also expected to rise as more assessments are done in the burn area.

LA Mayor Karen Bass and Crowley surveyed the damage by air on Monday, they said.

"It's one thing to see it on television, it's another thing to see it from air — the massive, massive destruction is unimaginable until you actually see it. I think of the families, I think of the community members who have experienced that," Bass said.

As the investigation into the cause of the Palisades Fire continues, officials believe the fire is likely of human origin and are reportedly focusing their probe around a popular hiking spot.

The county has posted an interactive map for the Palisades fire that allows users to view information about homes and other structures damaged in the blaze.

Arrests

A curfew continues to be in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation areas. Only firefighters, utility workers and law enforcement personnel are allowed in those areas.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported Tuesday that six people had been arrested in the Palisades Fire area patrolled by the sheriff's department, which includes Malibu and unincorporated mountain areas.

The LAPD has made 14 arrests in its jurisdiction within the Palisades Fire zone, which includes Pacific Palisades. Among them were one person arrested for impersonating a police officer and another for impersonating a firefighter, McDonnell said.

Other arrests include those for curfew violations, burglary, drug and weapon possession, DUI, vandalism, and ammunition possession.

Two men in black jumpsuits were arrested outside Vice President Kamala Harris' Brentwood home. Two more arrests involved suspected drone-fliers above the Eaton Fire.

The Santa Monica Police Department, which implemented mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders in the northern part of the city, announced that it has made roughly 40 arrests.

Among them was the arrest of a Malibu man who ran over an officer's foot while trying to gain unauthorized entry into the fire evacuation area, police said.

City News Service contributed to this report.