Fire-hit LA faces new peril as dangerous winds ramp up

Powerful winds on Tuesday threatened to rekindle and whip up major fires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles, killing at last 24 people and changing the face of America's second biggest city -- perhaps forever.

A week after blazes erupted and spread uncontained, forecasters predicted "particularly dangerous" Santa Ana winds would spike the wildfire threat anew for already exhausted firefighters.

"Stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate. Avoid anything that can spark a fire," the National Weather Service warned.

A large part of Southern California was under a Red Flag warning, indicating that intense dryness and furious winds gusting up to 70 miles (110 kilometers) an hour would make conditions ripe for wildfire.

Part of Los Angeles County and much of neighboring Ventura County were in a "Particularly Dangerous Situation," according to the NWS, a designation that was also declared before last week's deadly blazes.

"All the plants and vegetation is really dry and ready to burn so... fires can grow pretty fast," meteorologist Ryan Kittell told AFP.

The Palisades and Eaton Fires -- both of which are still burning in places -- could flare, and new ignitions could quickly turn problematic, he said.

A new fire that broke out late Monday in Oxnard, 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Los Angeles, set nerves jangling, with firefighters pouncing to contain it.

Officials insisted they were poised for any renewed threats, particularly around the existing burn sites, after hydrants ran dry in the initial firefight.

"Please be assured that the Los Angeles County region is prepared," fire chief Anthony Marrone said.

"We have checked the water system in the Eaton fire area, and it is operational, meaning that we have water and we have pressure."

The renewed danger comes with 24,000 acres (9,700 hectares) of the upmarket Pacific Palisades in ruins and 14,000 acres of the city of Altadena badly charred.

Gusting winds were also whipping up toxic ash, with health officials urging everyone to wear a mask.

"Ash is not just dirt," said Anish Mahajan of LA County Public Health Department.

"It's hazardous fine dust that can irritate or harm your respiratory system and other parts of your body where it lands."

- 'It was just a war' -

Around 88,000 evacuees are desperate to get back to their homes -- or even just to see if anything at all survived.

"My house is gone, I know that. I've seen pictures and all that's left is the chimney. But I need to see it by myself to believe it," Fred Busche told AFP.

Among the desperation, there were stories of fortitude.

Jeff Ridgway told how he had refused to abandon the apartment complex he manages, defending it against the fires by hauling buckets of water from the pool.

"It was just a war," the 67-year-old told AFP, pointing to a charred eucalyptus tree he extinguished when it threatened the building last week.

"But I was just stubborn. I was like: 'I'm not going to be defeated by you. I'm sorry, this is just not gonna happen.'"

- 'Terrible' -

Search teams using cadaver dogs have been scouring the rubble for days in the hunt for dozens of people still unaccounted for, with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna saying 1,800 homes were searched on Monday.

"The good news was that no other remains were found yesterday. Hopefully that happens again today," he said.

"We don't want the death toll to continue to go up."

Chat show host Jimmy Kimmel was back on the air Monday night after having to evacuate his studio last week when a blaze erupted in the Hollywood Hills, just a few hundred meters (yards) away.

"It's been a very scary, very stressful, very strange week here in LA, where we work, where we live, where our kids go to school," an emotional Kimmel told his audience.

"It's been terrible. Everyone who lives in this city knows someone... whose house has burned down. And the truth is we don't even know if it's over."

With so many in dire straits, the city was clutching for any sliver of good news, with some taking refuge in local sports teams who were back in action.

The Los Angeles Rams dominated the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL play-off game to take them one step closer to the Super Bowl, cheered on by fans brandishing flags and signs thanking firefighters.

"We knew what we were playing for," Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said.

"It's a tough time. We're just happy that we came out and played like this tonight to get (fans) something to be happy about."