California wildfires: Fierce winds threaten to escalate destruction as death toll surges

California weather forecasters have issued warnings about the resurgence of powerful Santa Ana winds, which are expected to exacerbate ongoing wildfires around Los Angeles.

After a weekend of calmer conditions, the winds are predicted to intensify from Sunday night through Wednesday, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph (96 km/h).

Despite progress in containing the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires, which have ravaged opposite ends of the city, fire officials caution that the incoming winds could reignite the flames and create “potential disastrous wind conditions.”

The fires have already claimed 24 lives, with 16 victims found in the Eaton fire zone and 8 in the Palisades area. Another 16 individuals remain missing.

The largest blaze, the Palisades fire, has consumed over 23,000 acres and is 13% contained. The Eaton fire, the second largest, has burned more than 14,000 acres and is 27% contained. Meanwhile, the smaller Hurst fire, which has grown to 799 acres, is nearly fully contained.

Authorities are working with firefighting teams from eight U.S. states, as well as Canada and Mexico, to battle the blazes. The National Weather Service has issued a rare “particularly dangerous situation” alert for Tuesday, warning of “extreme fire behavior.”

Kristin Crowley, LA’s fire chief, urged residents near evacuation zones to be prepared to leave at short notice and to keep roads clear for emergency responders. While schools in evacuation zones remain closed, others across LA will reopen on Monday.

Accuweather estimates financial losses from the wildfires to be between $250 billion and $275 billion, making them among the most expensive in the U.S. history.