Return of strong winds to Los Angeles threatens area's fight against fires

Federal investigators are focusing on a specific street in the Palisades Highlands area where they believe the Palisades Fire may have started.

Via La Costa Street has been closed to the media as the investigation continues.

Fifteen investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) National Response Team (NRT) from around the country arrived in Los Angeles over the weekend, joining crews already on scene.

Officials say the team will conduct an origin and cause examination of the Pacific Palisades fire.

More than 40 people have been arrested in Santa Monica's evacuation zones, including 10 for burglary, police said.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, all of those who were taken into custody were in the zones in violation to the legal emergency orders.

Police said most were also violating the city and county's curfew orders.

Ten people were arrested for burglary, three of whom were linked to one incident on 18th Street. Four others were arrested in the 200 block of Euclid Street, and two at 10th Street and Carlyle Avenue.

Police said six were arrested possession of burglary tools. The rest were arrested for other violations, including curfew, drug possession, driving violations, outstanding warrants, parole and probation violations.

Police said two of the people were in possession of concealed handguns.

None of the suspects are from Santa Monica, according to police.

"I am grateful for the unwavering dedication and professionalism of all the officers and professional staff in the SMPD," said Chief Ramon Batista. "Over the past seven days, while the fires in Palisades tested the resilience of many, each of them stood strong, ensuring that the city of Santa Monica remained safe and secure. I am also grateful for the collaboration with our mutual aid partners who supported us on the front lines and the National Guard for helping us secure the evacuation zones and maintain entry and exit points to the closed areas."

A dozen L.A. pro sports organizations will pledge more than $8 million to support victims and those fighting the fires, the groups announced Monday in a joint statement.

The teams include Angel City FC, the Angels, Chargers, Clippers, Dodgers, Ducks, Galaxy, Kings, LAFC, Lakers, Rams and Sparks.

They said that the contributions would go towards the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, Team Rubicon and various local animal rescue organizations.

In addition to money raised for the recovery effort, the organizations announced a partnership with merchandize site Fanatics to distribute $3 million worth of merchandise to those who have been evacuated from their homes.

They say thousands more items including personal hygiene kits, school supplies, sneakers and more will be given out at makeshift distribution centers on Friday, January 17 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at three locations - Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium and BMO Stadium.

LA sports organizations team up with $8M+ donation, distribution drives for wildfire relief

Health care centers and medical facilities remain closed as the devastating California wildfires spread.

Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest health care systems in California, said most of its facilities remain open and operational but seven remain closed, including facilities in the cities and neighborhoods of Pasadena, Rosemead, Santa Monica, Canyon County and Sylmar.

Keck Medicine of USC shared an update to its website stating that all affiliated hospitals remain open but at least nine clinics remain closed, including those in Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge and Los Angeles.

Providence health care system, which serves five Western states including California, also announced that some of its outpatient services, such as doctors' offices, were closed but that its hospitals remain open.

Adventist Health Glendale said in a statement on its website that its hospital and emergency department is operating as usual and patients are not being evacuated. However, some patients with elective procedures are being rescheduled to a later date and all non-essential visitation has been postponed.

"Some patients with elective procedures may be rescheduled for a later date - These patients will be contacted directly by their provider," the statement said.

As of Sunday afternoon, UCLA Health said clinic operations were "impacted" in the neighborhoods of Calabasas, Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Pasadena. However, it's unclear from the UCLA statement how many clinics are closed.

"Affected patients will be contacted with additional information. Patients with questions or seeking to reschedule appointments are encouraged to contact their physician's office or clinic," UCLA Health stated on its website. "UCLA Health asks that visits to our medical center emergency departments be reserved for urgent and life-threatening medical conditions."

Some health care centers are working to reopen after being temporarily closed. Cedars-Sinai shared in an update on its website Monday that it was planning to resume non-urgent and non-emergency procedures, some of which it had postponed because of the fires.

"Our Medical Network has reopened most outpatient offices and surgery centers that had been temporarily closed, including locations in Brentwood/West Los Angeles, Los Feliz, Pasadena and Santa Monica. We continue to do everything possible to minimize any disruptions to care," Cedars-Sinai's update stated.

Additionally, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, which has locations in four states including California, said its main campus in Duarte and all of its outpatient clinics are open as staff work to accommodate patients "whose care was impacted over the last few days."