Search for bodies as Los Angeles firefighters brace for more wind

LOS ANGELES, United States: Search teams looking for people killed in devastating Los Angeles blazes moved from house to house on Monday, as firefighters girded for hurricane-force winds that could spark further flare-ups.

As the disaster entered its seventh day, with more than 90,000 people still displaced and swathes of America´s second biggest city in ruins, the first glimmers of normal life began to emerge.

Schools -- shuttered since roaring winds spread flames through whole communities -- re-opened, while the city´s beloved Los Angeles Lakers basketball team were set to play again. But with strong Santa Ana winds forecast to return on Tuesday, officials said they were bracing for new problems.

“The National Weather Service is predicting close to hurricane-force level winds, and so we´re making urgent preparations,” Mayor Karen Bass told a press conference. Forecasters expect “extreme fire behaviour and life threatening conditions” in the coming days.

Winds up to 110-kms per hour mean a “particularly dangerous situation” from early Tuesday, said NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld. Roadblocks were in place around evacuation zones as police -- backed up by California´s National Guard -- stopped anyone from entering in an effort to prevent looting.

Dozens of people have been arrested in the no-go zones, where an overnight curfew is in place, including one man disguised as a firefighter. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said on Monday he would be announcing the first charges against those arrested.

“I am working with over 750 Deputy District Attorneys and the entire law enforcement community to bring these people -- who are despicable and disgraceful -- to justice,” he said. A system that allowed evacuees short, escorted visits to their homes was stopped on Sunday, as police became overwhelmed by queues several city blocks long.

That was adding to the heartbreak for those forced to flee. “My house is gone, I know that. I´ve seen pictures and all that´s left is the chimney. But I need to see it by myself to believe it”, Fred Busche told AFP.

The county coroner said on Sunday that 24 people were now known to have perished in the fires, but that toll is expected to rise. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said teams using cadaver dogs were going plot to plot in ruined areas. “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,” he said.

“That is not easy work. “That work is not only going to continue, but I believe we´ll continue to find remains.” The Palisades Fire has now consumed almost 24,000 acres and was 14 percent contained, with limited fire activity at its boundaries.

President Joe Biden says he is “deeply saddened by the devastation” caused by the ongoing wildfires across Los Angeles. “Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost,” the president said.