By Chad Terhune and Jorge Garcia

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Los Angeles firefighters are bracing for strong winds overnight into Tuesday, gusts that could fuel two massive wildfires that have already burned through neighborhoods, killing at least two dozens of people, and burned an area the size of Washington, DC

A red flag warning was in effect Monday as dry, dangerous Santa Ana winds intensified. Gusts could reach 75 mph (120 kph) beginning at 4 a.m. Tuesday (1200 GMT), said David Roth, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.

More than 8,500 firefighters attacked the fires from the air and on the ground, keeping the fires in either end of Los Angeles from spreading overnight.

“This setup is about as bad as it gets,” Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told local residents. “We’re not in the clear.”

Officials say California state authorities are pre-positioning fire crews in Los Angeles as well as other Southern California counties that are also under high fire risk.

Underscoring the risks, a new small but powerful fire broke out in scrubland on the bed of the Santa Clara River in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles. Ground crews and several helicopters are working to contain the so-called Auto Fire, which is burning near a golf course but has not yet threatened homes.

The two main wildfires broke out last week, fueled by hurricane-force winds that brought dry air from the deserts inland.

At least 24 people have died in the fires since then, according to Los Angeles County Medical (TASE:) Examiner.

The wildfires destroyed or damaged more than 12,000 structures, turning entire neighborhoods into smoldering ashes and piles of rubble, leaving an apocalyptic scene.

As of Monday, more than 92,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders — up from a previous high of more than 150,000 — while an additional 89,000 faced evacuation warnings.

The Palisades Fire, which wiped out upscale communities west of Los Angeles, has burned 23,713 acres (96 square km) and is 14% contained, a number that represents the percentage of the fire’s perimeter that firefighters control.

the Eaton (NYSE:) The fire in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains east of the city has consumed another 14,117 hectares (57 sq km) and is 33% contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported.

A third fire of 799 acres (3.2 sq km) north of the town is 95% contained and three other fires in the county are fully under control today.

The Eaton fire destroyed the Altadena home of Lorraine Bryan, 63, and destroyed two other residences on her property. He told Reuters he was worried about getting the extra dose of insulin he needed to manage his diabetes.

“I’m worried about insurance and about rebuilding and getting back on my feet,” Bryan said Monday, standing in the doorway of his charred home. “I need my medicine. I’m trying to see who can help us.”

DEATH AND ARREST

Deputies are searching for human remains every day as they search charred parts of Altadena, where the Eaton fire first broke out, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

“It’s a very serious task,” Luna said, adding that he expected the confirmed death toll to rise in the coming days.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the firestorm could rank as the most devastating natural disaster in US history. It is already the costliest wildfire in terms of insured losses.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Monday that 10 people have been arrested in connection with the fires. Nine people were arrested for residential burglary in the areas affected by the fire. Another person was arrested for arson, for allegedly trying to set fire to a tree in the city of Azusa, about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

US Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, said in a Monday press conference there is “a special place in hell” for thieves.

Flanked by law enforcement personnel, he added: “And if the people behind me have anything to say about it, there’s a special place in jail for you too.”

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was sued Monday over claims it failed to properly manage water supplies critical to fighting the deadly Palisades Fire, a court filing showed. The residents who sued said the department had to maintain water in a nearby reservoir, which was dry when the fire first broke out on Tuesday.

AID AND POLITICS

“Our hearts break for the 24 innocent souls lost in the fires across Los Angeles,” said US President Joe Biden, announcing additional disaster aid for California, covering the costs of debris removal and emergency protection measures.

But leading Republicans in the US Congress are considering imposing conditions on disaster relief, accusing the state’s Democratic leadership of mismanaging water and forest resources.

California Governor Newsom and other top Democrats in the state have come under fire for their handling of the fires.

President-elect Donald Trump plans to visit the disaster zone after he is inaugurated next week, a source familiar with the planning said.

With thousands of homeowners facing costly rebuilding, major commercial banks including JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:) and Bank of America have announced plans to ease the loan repayment conditions for those affected. Insurers look at historical losses.