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The death toll from massive Los Angeles wildfire rose to 24 on Sunday, with officials warning of incoming dangerous winds that could whip the blazes up further.
The fires continued to rip through the United States’ second-largest city for the sixth day, reducing whole communities to scorched rubble and leaving thousands without homes.
Massive firefighting efforts have staunched the spread of the Palisades Fire, which was looming toward upscale Brentwood and the densely populated San Fernando Valley.
But conditions are set to dramatically worsen, with “extreme fire behaviour and life-threatening conditions” over the coming days.
Winds up to 70 miles (110 kilometres) per hour mean a “particularly dangerous situation (PDS)” will be declared from early Tuesday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld.
These gusts could fan flames and whip up embers from existing burn zones into new areas, firefighters warned.
Los Angeles County Fire Department chief Anthony Marrone said his department had received resources including dozens of new water trucks and firefighters from far afield and was primed to face the renewed threat.
Questioned whether hydrants could run dry again, as they did during the initial outbreak of fires last week, Mayor Karen Bass replied: “I believe the city is prepared.”
There was frustration for evacuees who were told they would not be returning home until at least Thursday when winds subside.
Some have queued for hours in the hope of getting back to homes they fled to pick up medication or a change of clothes.
