Los Angeles braces for stronger winds as fires continue to burn

Los Angeles residents are bracing for more destruction as weather forecasts indicate the winds fueling the flames could pick up again.

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

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said “urgent preparations” are being made ahead of near-hurricane winds that are forecast to peak on Tuesday.

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

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

In some of the cases, suspects could 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 sole arson suspect was arrested in the nearby city of Azusa, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles.

The arson is not related to any of the major fires, but reportedly started in a local park.

Authorities also warned against price gouging, Internet scams and flying drones, which can interfere with firefighting planes.

They said a series of ongoing investigations mean more charges could be laid.

Blake Chow, deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Department’s special operations bureau, issued a stern warning to looters: “You will not get away with this.”

Also on Monday, homeowners who lost their homes in the Eaton fire filed two lawsuits against electric company Southern California Edison (SCE).

They allege that the company did not de-energize 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 cause of the fire remains under investigation,” the spokesperson said.

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

There has been “very little fire growth” at the Palisades Fire on Monday, said Jim Hudson, CalFire deputy director.

The BBC Weather Center says Santa Ana winds, blowing from the east or northeast, could reach gusts of up to 112 km/h (70 mph) on Tuesday, which could fuel more fires.

Weather officials say lighter winds are forecast to develop after Wednesday, giving firefighters the opportunity to further contain the fires.

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

The curfew is maintained in the evacuation zones between 18:00 and 06:00 local time.

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

Asked if the wildfires had become increasingly politicized, Schiff responded: “There have been people who have done that from the time the fires started.”

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

President-elect Donald Trump reportedly plans to visit the area in the coming days.

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

President Joe Biden said he has sent hundreds of federal personnel, air and ground support to California, and that his team will “respond promptly” to any requests for more help.

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

Meanwhile, as city fire crews continue to try to contain the flames, local residents joined the relief efforts.

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

“I think everyone should help in any way 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 just as they are.”

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

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

He hopes to be able to offer locals 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 a poor kid who rented, so renting again is a little heartbreaking,” he said.

His family wonders if they will one day 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 mansions were lost in the fires, Pete Brown, spokesman for a local council member in Pacific Palisades, said many owners bought the houses about 50 years ago, some for prices of around $25,000 (£20,500). .

He said elderly homeowners are now left with nothing.

“His wealth was in that house,” Mr. Brown said.

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