More powerful winds were expected to trigger new wildfires that could set back the recent progress made in containing blazes that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
In all, four fires in the area have consumed more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco. As of Monday morning, the Palisades Fire was 11% contained and containment on the Eaton Fire reached 27%. Those two blazes alone accounted for 59 square miles (nearly 153 square kilometers).
At least 24 people have died in the fires, but more victims continue to be found. The death toll is expected to rise as officials search through the rubble.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph (113 kph). The most dangerous day will be Tuesday, a fire analyst said.
But officials cautioned that more evacuations could be ordered when high winds return this week.
Additional fires are possible and the wind could spread the ongoing fires, so authorities urged residents to be prepared to evacuate if needed and make a plan for their families.
Also, even after an evacuation order is lifted it still might not be safe to return home because of damaged gas and electric lines and other hazards.
Other fire departments have sent equipment and firefighters to help battle the devastating blazes. Hundreds of National Guard troops are also helping.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said his department has not turned down any offers for help since the fires began. Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said she's grateful for all the first responders who are helping.
"We absolutely know that we cannot do this on our own," she said.
More on the LA wildfires: WA firefighters heading to Southern CA to help fight devestating wildfires
The Tulalip Bay Fire Department is one of many local fire departments that've made the trek from Washington to Southern California to provide assistance.
"We were up in the hills last night, but last night was more of a contingency tactic, just in case the fire made a run to the north," Tulalip Bay Fire Department Captain Derek Kuhn said on "Seattle's Morning News" on KIRO 97.3 FM. "But the winds were working to our favor, so things held last night, and they look good in our area."
More than 220 firefighters from 11 local fire strike teams in Washington journeyed to California last week, helping with evacuations, enforcing borders and providing assistance fighting the flames themselves.
"This is nothing like we get back home," Kuhn said. "We don't have fuels like this. We don't get winds like this. We're dealing with fuels that haven't burned in over 40 years, and some of the areas we're working in have red flag warnings through Wednesday, with winds up to possibly 70 miles an hour. It's a lot different than back home, that's for sure."
As for the Tulalip Bay Fire Department crew, the four who made it to Los Angeles are scheduled to be there for 18 days, including travel. But, as Kuhn warned "Seattle's Morning News," things are always subject to change.
"It's surreal to see it in person. It is truly devastating. It's terrible. All the things that everyone is seeing online, we're seeing in person, but we're here to help," Kuhn said. "It's different. Never seen anything like this."
But with more strong winds in the forecast, the threat remains critical. The anticipated winds, low humidity and dry conditions will keep the fire risk high.
"Please be assured that all fire departments and all law enforcement agencies in the area will be prepared," LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
Officials have pre-positioned fire engines throughout the city so they'll be ready to respond to any new fires and firefighters are patrolling high-risk areas.
"We're absolutely better prepared for this coming," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said when asked what will be different this time with similarly strong winds forecast as last week which fueled the massive fires.
More than 5,000 firefighters are battling the Palisades fire and more than 3,000 are working on the Eaton fire.
The state has also set up a mobilization area where resources are staged to be ready to respond to any new fires.
Marrone said he also has more firefighting aircraft on hand to help, but they could be grounded if the winds get too strong. When that happened last week, the fires spread quickly.
Marrone said he can't be confident they'll be able to contain every new fire, so it's important that residents are ready to evacuate if they're ordered to leave their homes.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city is preparing to deal with another round of extreme wind.
At the same time, city officials are helping residents start to recover from losing their homes by opening centers to help them apply for replacement birth certificates and driver's licenses and other documents. Businesses are also being encouraged to apply for disaster relief loans.
The city set up a website to help people as they start picking up the pieces of their lives at recovery.lacounty.gov.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said they're starting to see criminals emerge.
Nearly three dozen people have been arrested for looting since the fires began last week.
Hochman added that price gauging has been happening with hotels and short-term rentals and medical supplies. Scammers are also contacting people for fake GoFundMe efforts, though he said the official organization has done a good job of putting protections against this in place and recommended making such donations through that site.
"The criminals have decided that this is an opportunity and I'm here to tell you this is not an opportunity," Hochman said. "You will be arrested."