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Forecasters are warning of extreme fire danger across the Los Angeles area, where firefighters are still working to contain the multiple blazes that have engulfed Southern California for the past week.

 between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, with gusts of up to 50 to 70 mph in the mountains and 30 to 50 mph along the coasts and valleys.

While generally weaker than last week's, this next batch of high winds could down trees, cut power, endanger drivers and — most alarmingly — fuel new and existing fires in the area. The 

 they could cause "explosive fire growth."

"Stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate. Avoid anything that can spark a fire," it says.

There are five active fires as of Tuesday afternoon, according to 

: The Palisades and Eaton fires have burned a collective 37,830 acres since last Tuesday, and are 18% and 35% contained, respectively. 

Officials said Tuesday morning that over 7,000 structures were damaged or destroyed in the Eaton Fire, according to preliminary damage inspections that are still ongoing.

The Hurst Fire, which also started last Tuesday, is at 97% containment after burning almost 800 acres. The Auto Fire has burned about 56 acres in nearby Ventura County since it broke out late Monday and is a quarter contained. 

A new fire developed Tuesday in Riverside: 

, which had burned 2 acres as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.

"In the first 11 days of the year there have been more than 40,300 acres burned from 105 fires," Deputy State Fire Marshal 

 over the weekend. "With an estimated 12,000 structures destroyed, this makes the Eaton and Palisades fire likely the second and fourth most destructive fires in California's history."

As of Tuesday morning, approximately 88,000 residents were under evacuation orders, and another roughly 84,800 were under evacuation warnings, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a 

He urged residents to prepare to evacuate if called to do so, saying many of the survivors rescued so far had waited "until the last minute" and ended up with "significant burns." 

On Tuesday, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said 13 people are missing, two of whom have most likely been found deceased. 

The LA County Medical Examiner was investigating a total of 

 as of Tuesday afternoon, 17 from the Eaton Fire and eight from the Palisades Fire.

Luna said search and rescue teams had searched 3,654 properties in Altadena and some 1,800 in the Eaton area, and did not find any additional remains on Monday. Authorities stressed that residents can't return to their neighborhoods until Cal Fire has deemed them safe.

"I don't want people to start thinking everything's OK now," Luna said. "Everything's not OK yet. We'll get there. We'll get there together. But again, the wind's blowing and it's going to continue to blow."

Authorities warn of extreme fire danger and possible power shut-offs

 is under red flag warnings through Wednesday, meaning there is a high risk for rapid fire growth if a fire starts.

Two smaller areas within LA and Ventura counties are considered to be in "a 

", the rarest and most extreme level of red flag warning. It has historically 

, including the Palisades and Eaton fires.

"PDS Red Flag Warnings are for the extreme of the extreme fire weather scenarios," the 

. "In other words, this setup is about as bad as it gets."

Authorities are warning residents to monitor emergency alerts and take precautions to 

. Those include not using lawnmowers on dry vegetation, ensuring trailer chains do not drag on the ground and never throwing cigarettes or matches out of a vehicle.

The county itself may also take additional steps. The LA Department of Water and Power 

 that local fire authorities may ask it to "de-energize power lines as a preventative measure" in certain areas while the red flag warning is in effect. Lindsey Horvath, an LA County supervisor,  said over 20,000 households are facing potential power outages from such shutoffs. 

Authorities are asking customers in high-risk areas to be prepared for possible prolonged outages, potentially over 48 hours, by keeping their phones charged and a portable charger, flashlight and extra batteries nearby. 

Public health officials are warning that strong winds could disperse toxic ashes from the fire areas, and urge residents in those areas to reduce their exposure including by wearing N95 or P100 masks.

Dozens arrested for looting, arson and curfew violations

Authorities said at Tuesday's briefing that curfews will remain in place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the Palisades and Eaton evacuation order zones, and warned that people entering those areas will be arrested.

Luna said more people were arrested overnight, bringing the total to 39 — 33 in the Eaton Fire area and six in the Palisades. Offenses included curfew violations and burglary, and two arrests were related to 

Separately, McDonnell said police had made 14 arrests for various violations including failure to obey curfew, impersonating an officer and a firefighter, vandalism, burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. 

He also said three people had been arrested on charges of arson after police received calls. One person was arrested on Sunday night after using a barbecue lighter to ignite fires, while two were arrested Monday for igniting a brush and a trash can, respectively. 

McDonnell praised residents for their vigilance and urged others to report anything suspicious in their area and review home security footage.

The causes of all five active fires are currently under investigation.

School and sports resume, but other closures persist

The fires have either paused or postponed many of the daily activities and special events that LA hosts.

Most of the schools and offices of the Los Angeles Unified School District 

 — with limited outdoor and athletic activities — on Monday, though 

The Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountain National Monument, which were temporarily closed to the public as fires broke out last week, will remain closed through midnight on Sunday due to "critical fire danger," 

This year's Academy Awards nominations, originally scheduled for last Friday, have since been delayed twice until Jan. 23. The fires and ensuing evacuations have impacted Hollywood stars and halted film production too, as 

postponed a much-anticipated announcement

 originally scheduled for Tuesday, citing the devastation of the wildfires and donating $2.5 million to relief funds.

, NBA and NCAA games featuring LA teams. On Monday, the 

"It's our job to go give strength, and give hope and give joy," said Lakers coach JJ Redick, 

 in the Palisades Fire. "Sports are a lot of things and sports can certainly provide an escape and a distraction and hopefully sports, and tonight, can provide some joy as well."

Sports are also providing support in other ways. All 12 of LA's professional teams have pledged to 

 to wildfire victims and first responders.

With fire danger still high, authorities implore you to follow evacuation orders

What to do — and not do — when you get home after a fire evacuation

Is smoke in your home? Here's how to make an air purifier from a box fan

Trying to stay safe in a wildfire? There's an app that can help

Ways to support the response and recovery:

Want to help fire victims? Here's what experts say does the most good and places seeking volunteers

Wildfire donations and volunteering: How and where to help

Share: These are the steps fire victims need to take to make an insurance claim

The California Newsroom is following the extreme weather from across the region. Click through to 

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The Associated Press

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The Palisades Fire, along the coast, has been blamed for eight deaths, while the Eaton Fire farther inland has been blamed for 17 others, the LA County medical examiner’s office said. Nearly 30 people were missing.

What to know about the devastation from the Los Angeles-area fires

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