Los Angeles is bracing for stronger winds as fires continue to burn

Residents of Los Angeles are bracing for more devastation as weather forecasts indicate that the winds that fueled the flames could rekindle.

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

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said “urgent preparations” were underway for hurricane-force winds, which were forecast to peak on Tuesday.

Authorities also announced on Monday that nine people had been arrested for looting and one for arson.

At a press conference, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman showed video footage of some of the lootings and outlined the maximum penalties if the defendants are found guilty.

In some cases, the suspects could face up to life in prison under California’s “three-punishment” law, which allows repeat offenders to be sentenced to 25 years and life after a third conviction.

One arson suspect was arrested in the nearby city of Azusa, about 20 miles (32 km) east of downtown Los Angeles.

The arson was not linked to any of the major fires, but was allegedly set in a local park.

Law enforcement also warned against price gouging, internet fraud and drone flights that could interfere with firefighting aircraft.

They said a number of ongoing investigations meant more charges could be laid.

Blake Chow, assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department’s special operations division, issued a stark warning to looters: “You can’t get away with this.”

Also Monday, two lawsuits were filed against Southern California Edison (SCE) by property owners who lost their homes in the Eaton fire.

They claimed the company failed to de-energize its electrical equipment despite warnings of high winds.

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

“The cause of the fire is being investigated,” said the press secretary.

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

Jim Hudson, CalFire’s deputy chief, said Monday that the Palisades fire had “very little growth.”

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

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

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

A curfew remains in effect in evacuation areas from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time.

Adam Schiff, a recently elected Democratic senator from California, told the BBC that he hopes the incoming Trump administration will act quickly to address the effects of the natural disaster in the region.

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

When asked whether wildfires have become increasingly politicized, Schiff said, “Ever since fires started, people have been doing it.”

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

Federal lawmakers are set to meet Tuesday morning to discuss state disaster relief.

President Joe Biden said he has sent hundreds of federal personnel, air and ground support to California, and his team will “quickly respond” to any request for additional assistance.

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

Meanwhile, as city fire crews continue to try to contain the blaze, local residents have joined in the rescue effort.

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

“I think everyone should help in whatever way they can,” said Arnett, who helped distribute water to those affected by the fires.

“It’s great to see people coming together and volunteering like they are.”

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

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

He hoped to provide local residents with 500 meals “for as long as they need it.”

Altadena resident Michael Stork, who lost his family home, said “the rent has gone up a lot.”

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

His family wonders if they will ever be able to reclaim 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 have been destroyed in fires, Pete Brown, a spokesman for a local councilor in Pacific Palisades, said many of the owners bought the houses around 50 years ago, some for around $25,000 (£20,500).

He said these elderly homeowners are now left with nothing.

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

With additional reporting by Helena Humphrey, Crystal Hayes, Regan Morris, Gabriella Pomeroy and John Sudworth in Los Angeles.