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PACIFIC PALISADES (CNS) - Containment of the deadly Palisades Fire rose to 72% Thursday, with one more day of Santa Ana winds in the forecast before rain enters the forecast for the weekend.
Much of the Los Angeles area will be under a red flag warning of critical fire danger until 10 a.m. Friday thanks to continued gusty winds and extremely low humidity.
The Palisades Fire has scorched 23,448 acres and killed at least 11 people since erupting Jan. 7. As of Thursday morning's latest tally, 6,770 structures have been destroyed by the blaze, and another 904 damaged. One firefighter was injured, along with three civilians, according to fire officials.
Authorities said Santa Ana winds ranging from 35 to 50 mph were observed over the Palisades Fire area Wednesday night into Thursday.
"Firefighters continue establishing and improving direct control lines and the public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions," incident commanders said in an update Thursday morning. "Please continue to adhere to road closures and evacuation orders."
More evacuation orders were lifted Wednesday, generally on the western end of the fire area, with residents only being permitted back into the areas. Residents being allowed back to their homes were asked to check in at a staging area at the Malibu Pier to receive instructions from fire personnel.
County public health officials are distributing personal protective equipment to residents returning to their homes.
A curfew continues to be in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation areas in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones. Only firefighters, utility workers and law enforcement personnel are allowed in those areas.
The sheriff's department and other law enforcement agencies have reported dozens of arrests for alleged looting, burglaries and curfew violations since the fires in Palisades and Altadena broke out on Jan. 7.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported that as of Wednesday night, there were about 8,410 customers remaining without power in the Pacific Palisades area, mainly in areas where workers cannot safely access homes or in areas where it is unsafe to re-energize power lines. Customers with questions about the status of their service can call 800-342-5397.
Southern California Gas Co. had shut off service to about 13,600 customers in the Palisades Fire area for safety reasons, but the utility reported Thursday that it has restored service for 3,533 of those customers.
The Gas Co. has established an information booth for residents that will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pavilions store at 29211 Heathercliff Road in Malibu, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at UCLA Research Park West, 10850 W Pico Blvd., to provide information for customers.
Los Angeles County officials said its damage assessments can be viewed at recocery.lacounty.gov/palisades-fire. They will be updated daily in real time.
President Donald Trump, who spoke about the Los Angeles fires during his inaugural address Monday, is expected to visit the area Friday, although specific details have not been released.
The number of personnel committed to the firefighting effort was at 3,274 as of Wednesday night, according to Cal Fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Palisades Fire erupted around 10:30 a.m. Jan. 7 in the area of Piedra Morada and Monte Hermoso drives as the area was under a red flag warning for critical fire danger due to a historic wind event that saw gusts of 80 mph. It continued to grow exponentially Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, driven by heavy fuel loads and powerful Santa Ana winds.