'Not out of the woods': Fire-scarred LA braces for another round of dangerous winds

One week after the Palisades Fire erupted, the cleanup along Pacific Coast Highway has begun.

Federal and state teams have started removing hazardous waste and debris from homes and businesses destroyed by the flames. By mid-morning on Tuesday, workers had filled more than four dumpsters with debris.

One week after the Palisades Fire erupted, the cleanup along Pacific Coast Highway has begun.

A buffer zone has been established along the roadway, creating two lanes of workable space for crews to park and clear debris.

Dumpsters are dotted along the now naked coastline in those buffer lanes. There has been a steady parade of trucks, bulldozers, and electric crews all along PCH.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order Tuesday to prioritize cleanup efforts.

"This unprecedented natural disaster warrants an unprecedented response," Bass said in statement.

"This order is the first step in clearing away red tape and bureaucracy," she added, saying the city will do everything to get Angelenos back home.

ABC News' Christiane Cordero contributed to this report.

More than 7,000 structures, mostly homes, were damaged or destroyed in the Eaton Fire, and as officials continue to inspect the area, some evacuees were finally able to go home.

Several residents in the Kinneloa Mesa community, located close to Eaton Canyon, returned home Tuesday for the first time in a week.

Some of their homes had little damage, but there's plenty to clean up.

More than 7,000 structures, mostly homes, were damaged or destroyed in the Eaton Fire, and as officials continue to inspect the area, some evacuees were finally able to go home.

"Everything was pretty much covered with ash, so we had to clean that, [we've got to] clean the sheets, basically clean everything," said Joseph Murad, who was forced to evacuate. "Threw the food out and you know, that's the next
step."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced a soft closure of the Kinneloa Mesa area, meaning only residents were allowed.

Jillian Pelentay said the past week has been emotional, but she's thankful to find her childhood home still standing.

"It is a bittersweet feeling," she said. "It's a mix of, you know, relief but also survivor's guilt just because you know ... I've seen my family, friends and friends have lost everything."

As of Tuesday, the area is still without power, gas and clean water.

Pelantay, who works in real estate, said she's already starting the daunting task of completing the necessary inspections.

"Inspections are being done by the environmental company, but that's separate from insurance inspectors, so there's two sets of inspections they need to confer with each other and then they'll come up with a solution or how much you're approved for."

Now that residents - and even wildlife - begin to return home, many are simply reflecting on the catastrophic week.

"What can you do? I think it's an act of nature. If you don't see it as an act of God, it's nature," said evacuee Shin Yang.

A group of residents impacted by the Palisades Fire is suing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, alleging the city and its agency was unprepared.

"The Palisades Fire has been a traumatic event for its victims, who through no fault of their own, went from homeowners to homeless in a matter of hours," according to the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday.

Palisades Fire victims are suing the LADWP over water shortage issues, alleging the city and its agency was unprepared.

The plaintiffs allege the water supply system servicing the Pacific Palisades area failed on the day of the fire and played a "substantial factor" in causing devastating losses.

The Santa Ynez Reservoir, a 117-million-gallon water storage complex that is part of the Los Angeles water supply system, had been empty for nearly a year, according to the lawsuit.

After the devastating wildfires tore through the Los Angeles area last week, burning more than 40,000 acres and destroying thousands of homes, many people turned to GoFundMe campaigns to raise recovery funds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is not only helping cover firefighting costs, but they are also helping people cover the costs of immediate needs and recovery efforts.

However, donations from a GoFundMe page could impact how much money people receive from FEMA.

Donations from a GoFundMe page could impact how much money people affected by the wildfires receive from FEMA.

"FEMA may be able to offer funds to replace a vehicle but if your GoFundMe page clearly states that you're raising funds to replace a vehicle, then that will impact eligibility," said FEMA's Nicole Wilson. "FEMA by law cannot duplicate benefits. So we can't pay for things that have already been paid for by other sources."

Even if you have already established a GoFundMe campaign, FEMA encourages anyone affected to apply for assistance regardless so they can review your specific case.

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