Powerful winds have 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.
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 110 kilometres 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, 80 kilometres 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."
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Small number of Irish citizens affected - Tanáiste
Tanáiste Micheál Martin has said that among those affected by the "devastating" wildfires are a "small number of Irish citizens and their families".
Mr Martin said he "watched with horror as devastating wildfires have ravaged the Los Angeles area".
He extended his "deep condolences" to the families and friends of those who "have been lost in the fires."
The Tanáiste said that his thoughts were also with people who "have been forced to evacuate and those who have lost their homes and livelihoods".
He added that the Consulate-General of Ireland in Los Angeles is providing consular assistance and advice on accessing local supports to the Irish community.
"Ireland stands in solidarity with the people of Los Angeles at this time," said Mr Martin.
'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 on Monday night after having to evacuate his studio last week when a blaze erupted in the Hollywood Hills, just a few hundred meters 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."
Biden announces additional aid
"Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires across Los Angeles," said President Joe Biden, who announced additional disaster aid for California.
But top Republicans in the US Congress are considering imposing conditions on disaster aid, accusing the state's Democratic leadership of mismanaging water resources and forests.
Governor Newsom and other top Democrats in the state have come under withering criticism for their handling of the fires.
President-elect Donald Trump planned to visit the disaster zone after he is inaugurated next week, a source familiar with the matter said.
With thousands of homeowners facing costly rebuilding, large commercial banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, have announced plans to ease mortgage repayment conditions for those affected.
Insurers are looking at historic losses.
