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

Nine people have been charged with looting in connection with the Palisades and Eaton fires, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Monday.

"There have been certain people that we have given a warning to because we anticipated that this was half was going to happen, and these are the criminals," Hochman said during a press briefing. "These are the people who are seeking to exploit this tragedy for their own benefit."

Among those charged are three people accused of stealing more than $200,000 in property in a burglary last week at a house in Mandeville Canyon during an "evacuation situation," Hochman said.

A man has also been charged with arson in a fire that occurred in the city of Azusa on Friday, Hochman said.

Nine people have been charged with looting in connection with the Palisades and Eaton fires, L.A. County DA Nathan Hochman announced.

The Palisades Village is largely unscathed amid the devastating Palisades Fire, even as buildings across the street burned to the ground.

That's because the owners of the outdoor mall hired private tankers to fend off the flames as the fire encroached, ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman reports.

Tankers could be seen on Monday preparing for the next Santa Ana wind event forecast for this week.

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."