The death toll from massive wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles rose to 24 on Sunday, with officials warning of incoming dangerous winds that could intensify the blazes further.
The fires continued to tear through the United States' second-largest city for the sixth day, reducing entire communities to scorched rubble and leaving thousands homeless.
Massive firefighting efforts have contained the spread of the Palisades Fire, which had been threatening upscale Brentwood and the densely populated San Fernando Valley.
But conditions are expected to dramatically worsen, with "extreme fire behavior and life-threatening conditions" anticipated over the coming days.
Winds of up to 70 miles (110 kilometers) per hour mean a "particularly dangerous situation" (PDS) will be declared starting early Tuesday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld.
These gusts could fan the flames and send embers from existing burn zones into new areas, firefighters warned.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said his department had received new resources, including dozens of water trucks and firefighters from other regions, to prepare for the renewed threat.
Asked whether hydrants could run dry again, as they did during the initial outbreak last week, Mayor Karen Bass responded: "I believe the city is prepared."
Evacuees expressed frustration, with some told they would not be allowed to return home until at least Thursday when winds subside. Some queued for hours hoping to return to their homes to pick up medication or a change of clothes.
Search for Bodies
Sheriff Robert Luna said escorts into these areas were suspended Sunday due to the winds, dangerous conditions, and the need to recover victims' bodies.
Teams with cadaver dogs were conducting grid searches, grimly expecting the confirmed death toll to rise.
Several looters were arrested, including one who dressed as a firefighter to steal from homes.
Nighttime curfews in evacuated zones have been extended, and additional National Guard resources have been requested.
Prevented from entering an evacuation zone, Altadena resident Bobby Salman, 42, said: "I have to be there to protect my family, my wife, my kids, my mom, and I cannot even go and see them."
Fire Tornado
The Palisades Fire has now consumed 23,700 acres (9,500 hectares) and is only 11 percent contained.
Video footage showed "fire tornadoes" — red-hot spirals that form when a blaze creates its own weather system.
The ferocious fire also left streaks of molten metal flowing from burned-out cars.
Containment of the 14,000-acre Eaton Fire in Altadena had improved, with 27 percent of its perimeter under control, according to figures.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner published a list of fatalities without revealing any identities. Eight of the deceased were found in the Palisades Fire zone, and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone.
The number of residents under evacuation orders has dropped to around 100,000, from a peak of nearly 180,000.
The surge in people needing housing has led to reports of illegal price gouging by opportunistic landlords.
"I'm back on the market with tens of thousands of people," said Brian, a man whose rent-controlled apartment burned down. "That doesn't bode well."
California Governor Gavin Newsom vowed to rebuild the city, referring to it as a "Marshall Plan" — a reference to U.S. support for rebuilding Europe after World War II.
"We already have a team looking at reimagining L.A. 2.0," he said.
'Worst Catastrophes'
President-elect Donald Trump criticized California officials for their handling of the crisis.
"This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our country. They just can't put out the fires. What's wrong with them?" Trump posted on Truth Social.
A heroic firefighting operation, operating 24/7 since the first flames erupted, was bolstered Sunday with the arrival of crews from Mexico.
They join teams from all over California and across the western United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also offered to send 150 personnel to California from his war-torn country, writing on social media, "The situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives."
A large-scale investigation is underway by federal and local authorities to determine the cause of the wildfires.
While wildfires can sometimes be intentionally set, they are often natural and play an important role in an ecosystem's life cycle.
However, urban sprawl increasingly puts people in harm’s way, and the changing climate — exacerbated by humanity's unchecked use of fossil fuels — is worsening the conditions that lead to these destructive blazes.