Eaton Fire Live Updates: Wednesday, Jan. 15

All eyes are on the Santa Ana winds as Southern California braces for possibly yet another round of fires.

The anticipated winds come as firefighters continue to battle the deadly Eaton Fire, which is still burning Los Angeles' Altadena area.

Considered one of California's all-time deadliest fires, Eaton continues to burn in Los Angeles' Altadena area as firefighters brace for challenging conditions in the firefight this week due to another round of powerful Santa Ana winds

Follow along below for live updates.

Firefighters make progress

8:50 p.m PT: Firefighters made progress along the northern edge of the fire, utilizing data from infrared flights, to locate and extinguish hot spots. Residual heat is largely confined to the foothill drainages, where dense brush remains.

Structures damaged/destroyed  

7:20 p.m. PT: Damage assessments in the Eaton Fire area were about 50% completed as of Wednesday evening. Over 7,000 structures may have been damaged or destroyed.

Some evacuations lifted 

6:00 p.m. PT: Orders were lifted for an area south of Canyon Crest Road and west of Lincoln Avenue in the Altadena area, according to the sheriff's department.

Road closures 

10:47 a.m. PT: State Route 39 (San Gabriel Canyon Road) remains closed as a preventative measure north of Azusa. Only residents are allowed to enter. 

‘They lost everything’

10:00 a.m. PT: 

Search for human remains 

9:42 a.m. PT: A team has been assembled with the San Diego Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue experts, together with Cal Fire, LA County Sheriff's Department, and LA County Fire to go into a business area of Altadena where they will search for possible human remains. A cadaver detection dog present at the scene near Lake and East Mendocino earlier this morning detected a scent, prompting the search.

Wildfire victims urged to apply for FEMA assistance 

8:44 a.m. PT: Almost $12 million has been provided in aid and 53,000 people have registered for assistance, according to FEMA. FEMA personnel will be visiting shelters to determine the eligibility of those who apply for assistance. 

RELATED: California wildfire victims can claim a one-time $770 FEMA payment: How to apply

‘You will be publicly shamed’ 

8:30 a.m. PT: LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is again reiterating that scams and price gouging are unacceptable and won't be tolerated. 

Hochman said his office has charged two more people in arson cases not related to the major fires in the area. He said one person was charged with setting fire to bushes, pallets and a tractor-trailer in Industry. Another person has been charged with setting a fire under a freeway underpass in Irwindale.

Curfew remains as additional arrests made

8:23 a.m. PT: The 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly curfew remains in effect as more suspects have been arrested amid the ongoing wildfires. According to LASD Sheriff Robert Luna, 36 more arrests have been in the Eaton Fire. 

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said two arson suspects -- not related to the main fires in the region -- were arrested Tuesday. One was at Glenoaks and Van Nuys Boulevard, where a man allegedly set fire to a tree, telling officers he "liked the smell of burning leaves." 

Another suspect was arrested near Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont for setting fire to piles of rubbish and trash. McDonnell said that suspect told officers she "enjoyed causing chaos and destruction."

Pet hotline

8:15 a.m. PT: A new dedicated phone line has been established to specifically assist with inquiries related to pets affected by the fire. If you're looking for your animal in the fire zone, affected areas, please call (213) 270-8155 for assistance.

Fire risk continues 

8:10 a.m. PT: "The combination of low humidity and strong winds has further dried out the brush increase the risk of fire. The danger has not yet passed, so please, please prioritize your safety," LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said.

Damage inspections

8:01 a.m. PT: Authorities estimate about 45% of damage inspections have been completed within the Eaton Fire zone. 

Growing containment

7:26 a.m. PT: The fire has burned 14,117 acres and is now 45% contained, according to Cal Fire. Over 7,000 structures are damaged or destroyed, and over 3,330 firefighting personnel are assigned to the fire.

‘Entire cul de sac gone’

7:05 a.m. PT: The family of 91-year-old John, an Army veteran who worked at JPL for over 80 years and is also a professional photographer, shared with FOX 11's Gigi Graciette that he lost over 80,000 photos in the fire - photos of history being made in many cases. 

Death toll rises

5:21 a.m. PT: The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office reported 17 deaths tied to the Eaton Fire, up from 16 on Monday.

Critical fire danger continues

4 a.m. PT: The deadly Eaton Fire is 35% contained Wednesday while red flag warnings of critical fire danger will be in place over the burn area -- and much of Southern California - through 6 p.m. with some areas under the alert until Thursday afternoon.

The Eaton Fire

The Eaton Fire was first reported on Jan. 7 near Altadena and Midwick drives.

Since then, multiple people have died and at least 7,000 structures are destroyed.

Authorities have implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all areas that remain under mandatory evacuation orders in the Altadena area. This comes after more than 30 looting arrests were made by the LA County Sheriff's Department.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but they were fueled by extreme drought conditions, combined with the supersized Santa Ana winds that whipped flames and embers at 100 mph – much faster than usual. 

A lawsuit filed Monday claims Southern California Edison equipment sparked the Eaton Fire. 

The lawsuit alleges that Southern California Edison failed to comply with essential electrical and fire safety standards, including failing to maintain power lines and overgrown vegetation.

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