Santa Ana winds continued challenging firefighters on the Palisades and Eaton fires, but containment inched forward along the coast, and debris cleanup was underway in both burn scars ahead of possible rain coming over the weekend, authorities said.

Related Articles

Trump targets California water policy as he prepares to tour LA fire damage

San Jose Sharks winger has several friends affected by L.A. wildfires

USDA secretary nominee says politics shouldn’t influence California wildfire response

Trump says he may withhold federal aid for Los Angeles if California doesn’t change water policies

California’s home insurance prices set to soar

The Palisades fire, burning since Jan. 7, was 75% contained by Thursday, Jan. 23, Cal Fire officials said. Firefighters battled 35 to 50 mph gusts and continued low humidity over Wednesday night, Cal Fire officials said.

A red flag warning, signaling conditions ripe for spreading wildfires, was extended by the National Weather Service to 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24. But at least some rain was anticipated over the weekend, possibly starting Saturday.

The Eaton fire was 95% contained. Containment is the percentage of the blaze’s border blocked off by natural barriers or firefighters’ work.

Cleanup was underway for both areas.

The first phase, which is underway, is the removal of household hazardous waste items. The second phase will be conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should residents opt in to the free service. If not, residents can bring in a private vendor, provided they adhere to policies outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

So far, 28 people are known to have died in the two fires, but investigators are doing searches for a couple of dozen missing people. More than 17,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the two fires, according to Cal Fire and the Angeles National Forest.