LA braces for stronger winds as fires continue to burn

Los Angeles residents are bracing for further destruction as weather forecasts indicate the winds that help fuel the flames could resume.

Three fires continue to burn. The largest, the Palisades Fire, has burned more than 23,000 acres and remained 14% contained as of Monday evening.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said “urgent preparations” were being made ahead of near-hurricane-force winds expected to peak Tuesday.

At least 24 people have died in the fires and 23 others are missing in the Eaton and Palisades fire zones.

On Monday, authorities also announced that nine people had been arrested for looting and one for arson.

At a news conference, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman showed videos of some of the looting and outlined maximum penalties if the defendants were convicted.

In some cases, suspects face life in prison under California’s “three strikes” law – under which repeat offenders can be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after a third conviction.

The lone arson suspect was arrested in the nearby town of Azusa, about 20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

The arson is not linked to any of the major fires but is believed to have started in a local park.

Law enforcement also warned of price gouging, internet scams and flying drones, which can interfere with firefighting planes.

They said a number of ongoing investigations would mean more charges could be filed.

Blake Chow, deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Special Operations Bureau, issued a stern warning to the looters: “You’re not going to get away with this.”

Also Monday, two lawsuits were filed against power company Southern California Edison (SCE) by homeowners who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire.

They alleged the company failed to turn off its electrical equipment despite warnings of high winds.

A company spokesperson said SCE had not yet received the complaint, but would review it once received.

“The causes of the fire are still under investigation,” the spokesperson said.

The Eaton Fire, the second largest in a series of blazes that broke out in the city last week, has burned more than 14,000 acres and is 33% contained, authorities said.

There was “very little growth” from the Palisades Fire Monday, CalFire deputy chief Jim Hudson said.

The BBC Weather Center says Santa Ana winds – blowing from the east or north-east – could reach gusts of up to 70mph on Tuesday, potentially fueling further fires.

Weather officials say lighter winds are expected to develop after Wednesday, allowing firefighters to further contain the blazes.

A curfew remains in effect in evacuation zones between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time.

Adam Schiff, the newly elected Democratic senator from California, told the BBC he hoped the new Trump administration would act quickly to provide disaster relief.

Asked if wildfires have become increasingly politicized, Schiff said, “People have been doing that since the time the fires started.”

“That’s not helping us right now, let’s just focus on putting these fires out, and getting people the help they need.”

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to visit the region in the coming days.

Federal lawmakers are scheduled to meet Tuesday morning to discuss disaster aid for the state.

President Joe Biden said he had directed hundreds of federal personnel, air and ground support to California, and that his team would “respond quickly” to any requests for additional help.

“Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we lost,” he said.

Meanwhile, as city fire crews continue to attempt to contain the blazes, local residents have joined in the rescue efforts.

Actor and comedian Will Arnett told the BBC he had friends who had lost their homes.

“I think everyone should help however they can,” said Arnett, who was helping distribute water to those affected by the fires.

“It’s nice to see people come together and volunteer like they do.”

Fardad Khayami, a 24-year-old restaurateur in Pacific Palisades, was delivering hundreds of meals to people affected by the fires.

He told BBC Newsday: “If you look, on the outside it seems like a normal city where we are. But if you drive five minutes west it seems like a different world.”

He hopes to provide residents with 500 meals a day “for as long as they need them.”

Altadena resident Michael Storc, who lost his family home, said “rents have gone up a lot.”

“I grew up as a poor kid and a renter, so going back to renting is a little sickening,” he said.

His family wonders if they will ever be able to rebuild on the land where their home once stood, he said.

“We don’t know if it will ever be safe,” he told the BBC.

While many expensive homes were destroyed in the fires, Pete Brown, a spokesman for a local council member in Pacific Palisades, said many owners purchased the homes about 50 years ago, some for prices around $25,000 (£20,500).

He said these elderly homeowners were now left with nothing.

“Their wealth was in this house,” Mr. Brown said.

With additional reporting from Helena Humphry, Christal Hayes, Regan Morris, Gabriela Pomeroy and John Sudworth in Los Angeles.