US President-elect Donald Trump has accused Californian officials of incompetence over their handling of deadly wildfires raging around Los Angeles.
Firefighters scrambled on Sunday to make further progress as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with Santa Anas winds gusting to 113 kilometres per hour in the mountains.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said fire authorities would be prepared for these fire conditions to continue.
"These winds, combined with low humidity and low fuel moistures, will keep the fire threat in all of Los Angeles country very high," he said.
"To all the residents, please be assured we will continue to be here for you until the last fire is completely extinguished."
The most dangerous day would be Tuesday, said weather service meteorologist Rich Thompson
"The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols [politicians] have no idea how to put them out," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
"This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can't put out the fires. What's wrong with them?"
The speed and intensity of the blazes ravaging Los Angeles have tested its firefighting infrastructure and given rise to questions and criticism about the state's preparedness.
Hydrants ran dry in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood as it was ravaged by one of the region's five separate fires, while water shortages additionally hampered efforts elsewhere.
With just over a week before he returns to the White House, Trump has launched a series of evidence-free broadsides accusing California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom of failings in response to the blazes.
[MAP JAN 12]Mr Newsom has meanwhile invited Trump to visit Los Angeles and survey the devastation with him.
The fires have so far killed at least 24 people, displaced 150,000 more, and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, according to state officials.
"Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place," Trump said in his post.
Mr Newsom has also introduced emergency measures aiming to help fire victims and prevent them being scammed.
The governor signed a sweeping executive order to make it easier for people to rebuild their homes as well as enforce tougher penalties for price gouging.
Area larger than San Francisco burned
By Sunday morning, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed more than 160 square kilometres, an area larger than San Francisco.
The Palisades Fire was 11 per cent contained and containment on the Eaton Fire reached 27 per cent.
Those two blazes accounted for nearly 153 square kilometres.
After a fierce battle on Saturday, firefighters managed to fight back the flames in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities near Pacific Palisades not far from the Pacific coast.
Looters arrested
With reports of looting and a night-time curfew in place, police and National Guard have mounted checkpoints to prevent people getting into the disaster zones.
The LA County Sheriff Robert G.Luna said authorities were eager to prosecute anyone taking advantage of those who had been affected by the wildfires.
"Regarding any illegal activity that may be occurring in these areas, don't do it," he said.
"Whether that is burglary, looting … whether it's a scam you're conjuring up to make money off the poor people that have been involved in this."
Los Angeles Police Department Captain Michael Lorenz said seven people had been arrested in two days.
“We even made arrests of two individuals that were actually posing as firefighters coming and in and out of houses, so we’re paying very, very close attention to everybody,” he said.
Two people were arrested near Vice-President Kamala Harris's Brentwood house for violating the curfew order after police received reports of burglary, local media reported citing police.
A handwritten sign with "looters will be shot" was hung on a tree, next to the US flag outside a house in Pacific Palisades.
But the security checkpoints have left residents frustrated as they queue for up to 10 hours to try to get back in and see what, if anything, is left of their homes or check on family.
Prevented from entering an evacuation zone, Altadena resident Bobby Salman, 42, said: "I have to be there to protect my family, my wife, my kids, my mom and I cannot even go and see them."
The long queues left some people fuming about poor management, the latest gripe from a population already angry over hydrants that ran dry in the initial firefight.
Rebuilding will be a challenge
Michael Traum of the California Office of Emergency Services said 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters.
Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico, he said.
With Cal Fire reporting containment of the Palisades Fire at 11 per cent and the Eaton Fire at 15 per cent on Saturday night, the fight is set to continue.
"Weather conditions are still critical and another round of strong winds is expected starting Monday," Mr Traum said.
The level of devastation is jarring even in a state that regularly confronts massive wildfires.
Mr Newsom issued an executive order on Sunday aimed at fast-tracking the rebuilding of destroyed property by suspending some environmental regulations and ensuring that property tax assessments are not increased.
"California leads the nation in environmental stewardship. I'm not going to give that up. But one thing I won't give into is delay," he said.
"Delay is denial for people: lives, traditions, places torn apart, torn asunder.
"We've got to let people know that we have their back."
AFP/ABC
