Firefighters watching for hotspots from California's deadly wildfires

When the historic wildfires ignited, crews from across the U.S. and around the world descended upon the region to begin their relentless around-the-clock fight against the flames to keep them from advancing further into communities that were left devastated.

LOS ANGELES – It’s been a week since Southern California became a deadly inferno after several massive and destructive wildfires broke out in the Los Angeles area, sending tens of thousands of residents fleeing for safety as flames destroyed countless homes and businesses.

When the historic wildfires ignited, crews from across the U.S. and around the world descended upon the region to begin their relentless around-the-clock fight against the flames to keep them from advancing further into communities that were left devastated.

WATCH: NEW MALIBU BEACH FOOTAGE SHOWS ROWS OF HOMES DESTROYED BY PALISADES FIRE

Structures have been left in ruins, stunned residents are still awaiting word from officials as to when they will be allowed back into their neighborhoods to see what’s left, and investigators have started the heartbreaking task of searching for victims among the numerous piles of ash and rubble. So far, officials say at least 24 people are confirmed dead, and that number is expected to rise.

Several smaller fires have ignited since the firestorm began a week ago, but firefighters' heroic efforts have prevented them from growing to the size of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have claimed the most lives and caused the most destruction.

Fire investigators said Wednesday they are looking to talk to all hikers who were near the ignition site of the Palisades on Jan. 7 to help determine what or who caused the inferno.

WATCH: MAN RESCUES WOMAN, 4 DOGS FROM BURNING NEIGHBORHOOD AMID RAGING PALISADES FIRE

California wildfire death toll revised to 24, dozens missing

Officials had said at least 25 people were killed as a result of the wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area, but on Tuesday evening, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner revised its total back to 24 after a set of remains that were found were determined to not be human.

The death toll is expected to rise as investigators continue to search the rubble of burned structures with K9s and cadaver dogs.

"It is a very grim task. And unfortunately, every day we're doing this, we're running across the remains of individual community members," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. "That is not easy work."

Drones, crime impact Palisades Fire response

  • Size: 23,713 acres
  • Containment: 18%
  • Cause: Under investigation

Tuesday marked one week since the deadly fires broke out in the Los Angeles area in Southern California and the fight is far from over.

According to CAL FIRE, the Palisades Fire's behavior on Tuesday was "moderate," and containment was less than 20%.

The aggressive firefight continued, and more than 2,000 California National Guard members assisted in the fire impression efforts.

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Officials had also pre-deployed resources across the region with the hopes that any new wildfires that did ignite could be brought under control quickly before spreading rapidly.

Officials have also been pleading with residents to pay attention to conditions and listen to any and all evacuation warnings if they are issued.

"We are not in the clear," Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley said. "We must not let our guard down as we have, right now, extreme fire behavior. And we need to make sure that the community is staying updated with the most information. Follow all evacuation warnings and orders without delay."

Crews have been relentlessly attacking the Palisades Fire as the flames have continued to destroy home after home over the past week. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.

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Tens of thousands of residents have been anxiously awaiting word as to when they can return home, but they will have to wait a bit longer as the wildfire fight continues.

Officials have been asking for patience.

"Those people are saying, ‘I just want to go look at my house and I want to see what’s left.’ We know that. But we have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. "Please be patient with us. There are a lot of hazards in the area still."

Crime and drones have also been hindering the response and investigation.

WATCH AS MALIBU COUPLE RETURNS TO HOME LEFT IN ASHES AFTER PALISADES FIRE: ‘IT’S STILL SMOLDERING'

Illegally flown drones caused issues within the perimeter of the Palisades Fire, and a firefighting aircraft collided with a drone on Thursday, forcing the plane to be grounded due to damage.

That aircraft, known as a "super scooper," was repaired, and officials said it was expected to return to the sky on Tuesday afternoon to join back in on the wildfire fight.

Dozens of people have also been arrested, including several people who were illegally using drones, breaking curfew or on burglary charges. 

"Regarding arrests, we had a few more arrests overnight," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. "We are up to 39. That's 33 in the Eaton Fire area and six in the Palisades area."

Lawsuits filed, investigations underway

Investigations have been launched, and lawsuits have been filed as the wildfire fight continues across Southern California.

Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) descended upon the Los Angeles area last weekend to help crews identify where and how the deadly wildfires ignited.

Lawsuits have also been filed.

"Over on the Eaton Fire, there have been several lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison, that’s the utility company down here," FOX Business Correspondent Max Gorden said. "Because fire was seen underneath transmission lines as the Eaton Fire started, so there are concerns that potentially the power company may have sparked this."

One lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday against Southern California Edison (SCE) alleging the Eaton Fire ignited from SCE’s wires. A second lawsuit was filed against SCE on Tuesday, claiming negligence and a failure to implement basic safety measures before the blaze.

The fires remain under investigation.

Crews make ‘significant progress’ working deadly Eaton Fire

  • Size: 14,117 acres
  • Containment: 45%
  • Cause: Under investigation

Officials say they have made significant progress in the fight against the Eaton Fire.

"The good news is that for the last two days, we've had no increase in acreage at the Eaton Fire," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a news conference on Tuesday.

CAL FIRE said that containment efforts toward the Eaton Fire had been steadily progressing along the eastern edge of the blaze near Santa Ana Canyon.

Officials said that a mobile retardant base at Mount Wilson also remained active and provided retardant for helicopters to drop over inaccessible terrain where ground crews can’t access or construct containment lines. 

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In addition, infrared flights identified heat pockets within the interior of the fire area as dry fuels continued to burn out.

Power has been preemptively shut off in many areas with the hopes that if power lines are brought down, it won't trigger a fire.

"I ask all Los Angeles County residents in wildfire-prone areas to understand that the necessary public safety power shutoff is going to prevent our next fire from starting if we have downed power lines," Marrone continued. "I know that this is a challenge, but it is necessary for our collective safety."

Drought conditions lead to continued threat

A severe drought across the Los Angeles basin in combination with gusty winds and a lack of rainfall is expected to keep the fire scene active in the Golden State for weeks to come.

Several brush fires broke out on Wednesday, including a fire in San Bernardino County, east-southeast of Los Angeles.

Firefighters said the Little Mountain Fire consumed 30-50 acres and quickly burned through hillside brush.

No structures were immediately threatened by the blaze, as firefighters used both ground and aerial units to try to contain the fire.

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