LA fire crews make progress but dangers remain; EPA hazmat teams to start cleaning debris

Editor's note: This file captures the news of the California wildfires from Wednesday, Jan. 15. For the latest updates on the LA fires, follow USA TODAY's live coverage for Thursday, Jan. 16.

PASADENA, Calif. ? Firefighters were battling two monstrous wildfires Wednesday as weary residents across Los Angeles County stayed alert for another round of the Santa Ana winds that have fanned the flames of a catastrophe unfolding across sprawling, once-picturesque communities.

Winds were weaker than predicted Tuesday, and firefighting crews made progress containing the deadly blazes. The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles said around 2 p.m. PT Wednesday that the winds had started to die down ? no major new fires were reported to that point ? and red flag warnings would expire in most areas by 6 p.m.

Still, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said residents eager to return to evacuated areas must remain patient.

"We understand your desire to return to your communities," Crowley said at a briefing Wednesday. "However, significant safety and infrastructure issues remain, including downed power lines, broken gas lines, hazardous materials, unsafe water."

There were some positive developments amid the ongoing tragedy.

"The good news is that the winds through the Santa Monica mountains will be focused on the western third of the range far away from the Palisades Fire," the weather service said in a forecast discussion. "The really good news is that today will be the last really windy day."

At least 25 people have died in the fires. About 82,400 county residents remained under mandatory evacuation orders and another 90,400 were under evacuation warnings, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Wednesday.

Get weather and fire alerts via text: Sign up to get current wildfire updates by location

Developments:

? The fire department in San Bernardino County, due east of L.A. County, said it responded Wednesday afternoon to a brush fire that quickly burned 30 acres in a mountainous area and could threaten structures. The Little Mountain Fire's progress had been stopped with no injuries or structural damage reported but it remained 0% contained, Cal Fire said Wednesday evening.

? The Palisades Fire was 21% contained after consuming 37 square miles , Cal Fire said in an update Wednesday evening. The Eaton Fire has decimated over 22 square miles of Pasadena and Altadena and was 45% contained. The fire was expected to remain "within its current footprint," Cal Fire said.

? Firefighters made significant progress on the Hurst and Auto fires. The Hurst Fire was 98% contained, according to CalFire. The Auto Fire has burned 61 acres and was 85% contained, Cal Fire said. Forward progress on the fire that began Monday evening in Ventura County was stopped,the department said.

? Cooler temperatures and a reduced fire threat are expected for the Los Angeles area the rest of this week, but the chances of red flag warnings for L.A. and Ventura counties jump back up to 60% Monday, the weather service said.

? Hilton and American Express announced Wednesday that they will make 20,000 hotel room nights available "at no charge" for people displaced by the wildfires in Los Angeles County. Hilton said it is working with 211 LA, a local non-profit organization, to coordinate the distribution of rooms.

? A coalition of Los Angeles arts organizations and philanthropists, led by the J. Paul Getty Trust, announced the creation of the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund to help artists and arts workers impacted by the wildfires, starting with a $12 million endowment.

Contributing: James Ward

EPA hazmat crews to start cleaning debris Thursday

Hazmat crews with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will begin cleaning debris from neighborhoods impacted by wildfires on Thursday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced. According to EPA incident commander Tara Fitzgerald, crews will remove household hazardous waste from parcels.

"Once teams complete the removal of explosive and highly toxic materials, residents will be one step closer on the road to recovery," Newsom said in a statement on X.

Earlier Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Health Officer issued a new order prohibiting the cleanup or removal of fire debris from damaged and burned properties until a hazardous materials inspection is completed by an approved government agency.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health noted that the order only applies to fire debris and does not restrict the removal of personal property from residential areas.

Source of fires unknown, but clues emerge

It has been well established that strong winds, low humidity and drought contributed in a major way to the Los Angeles County fires. What remains elusive is the cause of their ignition.

Officials say they're still investigating what started the fires, but new lawsuits and eyewitness accounts offer an inkling of some possible sources of the sparks that set off the infernos.

Investigators looking into the Palisades Fire are focusing on a ridgeline in western Los Angeles where the fire is believed to have started, in the same area where a New Year's Day blaze was ignited by fireworks, according to media reports. The Los Angeles Fire Department contained the fire, but reignition under such dry conditions, even weeks later, is always a concern.

The Eaton Fire in the Altadena community has been the source of several lawsuits alleging the equipment of power company Southern California Edison ignited the flames. The utility said it had not been informed its equipment could have caused the fire.

Report: LA Mayor Bass was at party in Ghana when fire started

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who has been severely criticized for being away on an international mission when the fire crisis began at home, was attending an embassy cocktail party in Ghana as the Palisades Fire ripped through the community, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Bass had joined a Biden administration delegation traveling to the inauguration of the Ghanaian president, and "by the time she departed the gathering for her flight home, massive plumes of smoke were visible across a wide swath of (Los Angeles),'' the newspaper wrote.

Though Bass couldn't have known the Palisades and then the Eaton fires would ravage parts of the city in her absence, the Times pointed out that she headed to the African country on Jan. 4 despite National Weather Service warnings about intense winds that exacerbated fire danger.

Bass, a former U.S. representative, had said early in her mayoral campaign she would forsake international travel ? an activity she relished ? if elected as Los Angeles' leader.

Disney plays fairy godmother, opens wardrobe warehouse to employees

The Walt Disney Company is offering a spoonful of sugar to employees impacted by the fires raging north of Disneyland.

Disney Entertainment Television invited employees - and their families - who lost their homes in the fires to pick up new clothes and shoes from the production company's wardrobe warehouse in Hollywood, according to a Disney release. The employees and their families can keep the items.

“Most companies are not sitting on an entire warehouse full of wardrobe — some of which has been barely used, if it’s been used at all,” said Heidi Chong, Vice President of Production Shared Services for Disney Entertainment Television. “We really want to emphasize to the families: ‘If you come here, we’ve already organized everything for you. It’s all on display on the racks. You can find what you need.’ There are no limits to the amounts that people are getting; it’s really about what they need.”

The wardrobe items include fits from the following productions: Genius: MLK/X, grown-ish, The Old Man, Station 19, UnPrisoned, and Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, Disney said.

Hot wheels unscathed by fires

The wildfires decimating Los Angeles-area neighborhoods, businesses and cultural institutions left at least some precious things unscathed: classic cars.

Photos taken after wildfires decimated houses in storied communities from the Pacific Palisades to Altadena show vintage rides from baby blue Fords to early Volkswagen Beetles untouched by the flames.

The mint-condition cars stand in stark contrast to the apocalyptic landscapes.

Accused arsonist reportedly said she 'enjoyed causing chaos'

People are setting fires in the region even as major fires burn. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Wednesday that suspects were arrested on arson charges for small fires in Irwindale and Industry.

In the city of Los Angeles, Police Chief Jim McDonnell released details on two arson arrests, including one man who admitted setting a tree on fire and told officers he likes the smell of burning leaves. Later, a woman suspected of setting fire to multiple trash piles told officers she "enjoyed causing chaos and destruction," McDonnell said.

"There are people out there; this is what they do," McDonnell said. "If you know of these people, please give us a call before something really bad happens."

Partners ride out the Eaton Fire in Pasadena

Partners Robert Bullock and David Anderson stayed in their historic home just outside Pasadena as the Eaton Fire flared up last week. Although their home was inside the mandatory evacuation zone, they wanted to protect their home from burning embers that landed in their yard and on their roof.

“If we were a house in the middle of the forest and the forest was burning, then I could see abandoning it, but I couldn’t see it otherwise,” Bullock said.

But as the flames receded, Bullock and Anderson had to contend with people who appeared to be looters, who swept into their neighborhood seemingly for no other reason than to take advantage of the empty homes. The pair relied on a rifle purchased about two years ago for their own security but were unable to fall asleep the first night of the fires.

“The first two nights were terrible,” Bullock said, noting he could hear the booms of propane tanks and ammunition exploding in the distance as the fire raged. “It sounded like Iraq.”

Pacific Palisades residents sue Los Angeles water agency

More than a dozen victims of the Pacific Palisades wildfire are suing a public utility for water supply failures they say contributed to the devastation of the Los Angeles inferno. The lawsuit, filed by residents and a pizzeria owner in the now devastated Los Angeles area, blames the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ? LADWP ? for hydrants drying up within hours of the blaze's ignition. The plaintiffs said they all lost their homes or businesses to the inferno.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced an investigation into LADWP's water supply failures, while the utility says its water system was pushed past its limit from the massive blazes. The agency blamed the water shortages on "unprecedented and extreme water demand" that hampered efforts to refill water tanks and some hydrants.

"As soon as LADWP identified the risk of losing water in the tanks and water pressure in the system, we immediately deployed potable water tankers to sustain support for firefighting efforts," the ageny said in a statement. Read more here.

? Minnah Arshad

Cal Fire: Don't come to LA to clean up fires

Thousands of firefighters are battling the blazes, including hundreds sent from fire departments in other states. Cal Fire, however, said an inaccurate social media post circulating on Facebook claims random people can come to California to join a cleanup crew in areas affected by the fires.

"This information is false, and we would like to clarify that there is no such opportunity available," Cal Fire said in a statement. "We kindly ask that you refrain from calling in to inquire about this."

Critical fire weather, high winds in store for LA area next week

The latest round of strong Santa Ana winds is expected to abate later this week and over the weekend, but forecasters say the reprieve won't last long as windstorms could return to the Los Angeles area next week. From Jan. 22 to Jan. 25, “another round of Santa Ana winds may emerge, coupled with anomalously dry weather conditions,” the National Weather Service said in a forecast, adding that “the exact timing and magnitude remain uncertain.”

Critical red flag warnings across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties were set to expire Wednesday evening. Fire weather warnings over a mountainous area north of Los Angeles were extended into Thursday.

LA area could see more power shutoffs amid strong winds

More than 90,000 homes and businesses in Southern California were without power Wednesday, including more than 30,000 in Los Angeles County and 32,000 in neighboring San Bernardino County. Additionally, residents in areas at risk for wildfires could experience power shutoffs this week as Los Angeles remains under a critical red flag warning, the city’s water and power department said.

The department asked residents across the region, especially those living in mountainous areas, to prepare for power outages by charging their phones and keeping a flashlight and extra batteries handy.

“Local fire authorities may ask LADWP to de-energize power lines as a preventative measure, to help prevent wildfires and protect communities,” the Los Angeles Water and Power Department said in a statement.

Restoration may not happen quickly for those who lose power: “LADWP crews may not be able to automatically re-energize power lines serving your home or business,” the department said. “LADWP is taking these steps to protect public safety.”

What schools are open in Los Angeles? 

Thousands of students across Los Angeles County attend schools that were destroyed or damaged by the wildfires. While most schools in the Los Angeles area continued to welcome students back into their classrooms Wednesday, some remained closed as the return of strong winds threatened to stoke the blazes again.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the nation, reopened most of its schools on Monday and has since announced it may start to resume activities such as recess, outdoor PE classes and athletics this week.

Not all schools have reopened since the fires began last week. The Pasadena Unified School District, which serves about 14,000 students, is not set to resume classes until at least next Monday.

Undergraduate and graduate classes at the University of California, Los Angeles, will remain online through Friday.

LA fires damaged at least 12 schools: Here's what we know

Anguished families struggle to retrieve pets

The wildfires gave triggered a massive pet-rescue effort, and Krissy Simmel is among the unofficial volunteers on its front lines.

Erik Morentin, a 35-year-old non-profit consultant, drove to Pacific Palisades last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday trying to rescue cats belonging to his aging mother-in-law and her roommate. Morentin told USA TODAY he was turned away each day while being told residents could enter only to retrieve medication, not pets. On Friday, Morentin said, he was ready to give up.

That's when Simmel stepped in, persuading security to allow her to bring Morentin to the home. It was intact and the cats were alive, Morentin said.

“I ran back to Sunset (Boulevard) and Krissy met me up in her Jeep, and it was just completely overwhelming,’’ he said. “I just said, ‘Thank you so much. You just saved these cats' lives.’ ” Read more here.

? Josh Peter

Spiders, fish and oysters saved: These pet rescuers are capturing hearts amid the LA fires

Authorities search for missing people

At least 25 people have been killed in the wildfires, according to an update from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, which initially reported an additional death from the Eaton Fire on Tuesday that was later determined to be non-human remains.

By Tuesday night, the county medical examiner attributed another death to the Palisades Fire. In total, the Eaton Fire has killed at least 16 people while the Palisades Fire has left at least nine others dead.

Search and rescue operations remained ongoing as local authorities continued going door-to-door to find missing victims. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Tuesday that 24 people were still missing in areas hit by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Families mourn LA fire victims: An avid surfer. A father and son. Beloved matriarchs.

Contributing: USA TODAY Network; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles wildfires: Dangers remain despite winds easing up