Firefighters reported significant gains on Wednesday against the two massive wildfires burning around Los Angeles, as strong winds started to ease and dry weather continued in the region.

Gusts whipped up to 50 mph in the mountains, but many areas saw relatively light winds later in the day, according to the National Weather Service.

Winds were also unexpectedly mild on Tuesday, allowing firefighters to make additional progress in quelling the fires in the Los Angeles area and to quickly extinguish several smaller fires that had sprung up.

With about 13 people still missing, the death toll of 25 is still likely to rise, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Tuesday.

Thousands of homes across Los Angeles and beyond have been eviscerated by the multiple infernos that have ravaged the city for more than a week.

Just under 90,000 people in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders, half the number from last week.

The Eaton fire, just north of Los Angeles, and the Palisades fire, which ripped through much of the seaside area of Pacific Palisades, started on Jan. 7 under conditions similar to those that were expected on Wednesday.

Currently, the Eaton Fire is 45 percent contained, with the Palisades Fire at about 21 percent containment.

The four largest fires around Los Angeles have burned more than 63 square miles, an area similar in size to Washington, D.C.

Last week’s strong Santa Ana winds fanned the flames quickly and carried fire-sparking embers, in some instances, miles away.

The National Weather Service issued Red Flag warnings for Wednesday until 6 p.m. for most areas, except for the windiest mountains, which expire Thursday 3 p.m.

Red Flags or fire weather warnings are issued when temperatures are warm, humidity is low, and strong winds are predicted.

The weather service said in a social media post on Wednesday: “While winds have peaked and will continue to lower into this evening, dry conditions and locally gusty winds will linger into Thursday”

More than 80,000 households have been left without electricity as utilities cut power to prevent lines from sparking new blazes and residents have been warned to be prepared to take flight at a moment’s notice.

Police have so far reported about 50 arrests for looting, flying drones in fire zones, violating curfew, and other crimes.

Signs of support for firefighters sit on display during the Palisades Fire seen in Santa Monica, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2025. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Authorities have not yet determined what sparked the major fires.

One man was charged with arson for intentionally starting a fire in Azusa, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said on Monday.

Nine people are also facing felony charges in connection to residential burglaries at evacuated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, Hochman said.

“These crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability,” Hochman said in a statement. “Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to prey on victims of these deadly fires, we will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

To protect communities, Gov. Gavin Newsom has deployed 2,500 California National Guard members.

An overhead pole camera image shows wildfire damage at the Altadena Community Church destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

In preparation for the potential return of strong winds, California’s fire response has been reinforced with firefighters from other states. Planes have also doused homes and hillsides with fire-retardant chemicals, while crews and fire engines have already deployed to particularly vulnerable spots with dry brush.

Winds are not expected to reach the same fierce speeds seen last week but they could ground firefighting aircraft, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.

He urged homeless people to avoid starting fires for warmth and to seek shelter.

With virtually no rain since April 2024, the area has had more than a dozen wildfires this year, mostly in the greater Los Angeles area.

Fire victims sort through donated food and clothing piles at the Santa Anita racetrack near Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2025. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

In terms of financial cost, AccuWeather estimates total damage and economic loss as somewhere between $250 billion and $275 billion, which would make it the costliest natural disaster in American history.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.