Fires are continuing to burn in Los Angeles a week after the first blaze
Hundreds more firefighters and equipment has arrived in Los Angeles ahead of fierce winds that are forecast to return, threatening to trigger new wildfires and worsen the ongoing blazes.
The National Weather Service warned the weather will be “particularly dangerous” on Tuesday, when wind gusts could reach 65mph.
However, officials have expressed confidence that they are “better prepared” for the new threat.
The largest blaze in Pacific Palisades has burned more than 23,000 acres and is 14% contained, while the Eaton Fire near Pasadena has burned over 14,000 acres and is roughly one-third contained.
Both blazes are among the five most destructive fires the state of California has seen since records began in 1932, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
At least 24 people have been killed and around two dozen remain missing, with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warning that the death toll is likely to rise.
More than 12,000 homes, cars and other structures have been destroyed in the fires that began a week ago.
Events and award ceremonies, including the Oscar nominations and Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series, have been postponed because of the wildfires.
A large part of Southern California around Los Angeles will continue to be under an extreme fire danger warning throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, including densely populated Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials – who have faced criticism over their initial response to the fires – expressed confidence on Monday that the region was ready to face the new threat with additional firefighters brought in from around the US, as well as Canada and Mexico.
“We’re absolutely better prepared,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said when asked what will be different from a week ago.
Planes doused homes and hillsides with bright pink fire-retardant chemicals, while crews and fire engines were placed near particularly vulnerable spots with dry brush.
Dozens of water trucks were brought in to replenish supplies after hydrants ran dry last week when the two largest fires erupted.
However, Marrone warned that if winds reach 70mph, it could ground firefighting aircrafts and mean “it’s going to be very difficult to contain that fire”.
In less than a week, four fires around the nation’s second-biggest city have scorched more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometres), roughly three times the size of Manhattan.
Fire officials advised residents in high-risk areas to just leave home – and not wait for formal evacuation orders – if they sense danger.
LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to stay away from burned neighbourhoods filled with broken gas lines and unstable buildings.
Just under 100,000 in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders, half the number from last week.
Beyoncé, Disney and other celebrities and entertainment organisations have pledged millions to help those who have been displaced or lost their homes.
Other stars – and ordinary people – have left large donations of clothing and other items along street corners in around the city.
Early estimates suggest the fires could be the nation’s costliest disaster ever, topping $250bn (£204bn), according to AccuWeather.
The reconstruction cost for commercial and residential properties inside areas with active fires could be $14.8bn (£12.1bn), according to real estate data tracker CoreLogic.
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