LOS ANGELES - 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 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 behavior and life threatening conditions" over the coming days.
Winds up to 110km/h 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.
Teams with cadaver dogs were carrying out grid searches with the grim expectation that the confirmed death toll would rise.
Several more arrests of looters were made, including one burglar who had dressed as a firefighter to steal from homes.
Nighttime curfews in evacuated zones have been extended, and additional National Guard resources have been requested.
The Palisades Fire has now consumed 9,500 hectares and was just 11 percent contained.