COPS have arrested four people in Los Angeles on suspicion of trying to start new fires.
It comes as firefighters continue to work around-the-clock to battle blazes that have now killed 25.
The four suspects were arrested for separate incidents across the city, the LAPD announced on Tuesday.
One alleged arsonist was charged with three counts and is facing nine years in jail.
Jose Gerardo Escobar was arrested on Friday accused of intentionally trying to start a fire in the eastern suburb of Azusa.
Another suspect was arrested after allegedly using a barbecue lighter to start fires in North Hollywood on Sunday night.
A third arrest was made on Monday afternoon in the northern suburb of Van Nuys when a suspect lit a brush on fire.
The fourth person was arrested in West LA after trying to light a bin on fire.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the fires which started on January 7 rose again from 24 to 25, the LA County Medical Examiner said.
Authorities expect the number of fatalities to continue increasing.
And wind speeds on Tuesday were lower than forecast.
But the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned that winds would pick up overnight and into Wednesday morning.
There are currently over six million people under critical fire threat across Southern California.
Some 85,000 are poised to evacuate under new orders as severe winds could fan flames.
Recent reports from California Fire have confirmed that the Eaton fire raging in the eastern suburb of Altadena has become the most devastating and lethal wildfire to have ever occurred in Southern California.
It has killed 17 people, burned over 14,000 acres and destroyed 7,000 buildings and other structures.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Palisades fire which has decimated one of LA’s ritziest neighbourhoods is the second most destructive ever in the region.
It has burned 23,000 acres and 5,000 structures.
Resources for the Los Angeles wildfires
Amidst the escalating threat of wildfires across various Los Angeles neighborhoods, residents are encouraged to seek support from a variety of local organizations providing assistance and resources.
To keep track of the live fire movements, residents can download the Watch Duty app or use its website.
You can register for emergency notifications through Alert LA County.
A comprehensive list of resources is available here.
Available shelters for evacuating residents include:
- Calvary Community Church
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
- Pan Pacific Recreational Center
- Westwood Recreation Center
- Pasadena Civic Auditorium
- Pomona Fairplex
- Stoner Recreation Center
Available animal shelters include:
- Agoura Animal Care Center
- Baldwin Park Animal Care Center
- Carson Animal Care Center
- Downey Animal Care Center
- Lancaster Animal Care Center
- Palmdale Animal Care Center
- Pomona Fairplex
- Industry Hills Expo
- Antelope Valley Fair
Free meals are being distributed to evacuees at restaurants and kitchens including:
Sources:
Sniffer dogs are combing through the ashes in a desperate search for victims.
Efforts to locate all the victims of the fire are underway, as Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna explained that the search operations are being conducted with the help of cadaver dogs specially trained to detect the scent of human remains.
Luna said: “We are still, for the Altadena area, we are in the third day of grid searching.
“It is a very grim task, and we, unfortunately, every day we’re doing this, we’re running across the remains of individual community members.”
Eight of the fire victims died in the Palisades Fire while 17 died in the Eaton Fire in Altadena.
“That is not easy work. Very sad to report,” Luna added.
“And I believe that work is not only going to continue, but I believe we’ll continue to find remains.”
