Thousands remain evacuated as crews work to contain Los Angeles County wildfires

Firefighters marched into the foothills above Altadena to perform brush clearance in the Eaton Fire burn area, while also going door-to-door and checking the structural integrity of homes that remained standing.

The firefighters -- carrying chainsaws, axes and spade shovels -- were seen walking in a single-file line through a residential neighborhood that abuts a hillside, where they worked to clear out fuels for another brush fire.

Cal Fire personnel were also conducting inspections in the Eaton Fire zone that were 45% complete Wednesday afternoon, examining houses and other structures that were not destroyed.

Firefighters marched into the foothills above Altadena to perform brush clearance in the Eaton Fire burn area, while also going door-to-door and checking the structural integrity of homes that remained standing.

Among the surviving homes was the one owned by a man who stayed behind during the wildfire. In an interview, he described how he used water hoses and buckets to protect the house from flying embers.

"I have a two-story house, so I was up on both floors -- the ground floor and the second floor, spraying into it. I had some good nozzles," he said in an interview. "And then at that one time when the wind did cease and the embers stopped coming in like crazy, that's when I decided I could try to go across the street and fight the fire before it got to my neighbors' houses.

"But I was able to stop it there and another house around the corner," he said, his voice choked with emotion.

As people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire start the process of recovery, many of them have faced long lines at the post office while trying to get their mail.

The Altadena post office was among the thousands of structures that burned down in the fire, which means all that mail has to be rerouted to Pasadena.

Altadena Resident Beverly Stewart called it a "major inconvenience."

Many of those who waited in line have no home to return to, while others are still waiting to be allowed back in after being evacuated last week. Still, all of them are desperate to get their mail and some semblance of a normal life after the destruction.

As people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire start the process of recovery, many of them have faced long lines at the post office while trying to get their mail.

"The community around is destroyed, but everybody is here and trying to move on as best they can," said Anne Wilcoxen.

Officials warn residents must present their I.D. in order to pick up their mail. The Pasadena post office is open Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. It'll also be open Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Japan is donating $2 million to victims of the devastating L.A. County wildfires through the American Red Cross, officials announced on Wednesday.

"Japan will actively provide assistance for the relief of the victims and the earliest possible recovery of the affected areas,'' according to a statement from the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles

On Monday, Consul General Kenko Sone issued a message of condolence to the area.

"A heartbreaking and tragic week has passed since the Palisades and Eaton Fires started on January 7th. Struggles continue. The devastation and challenges are beyond our imagination,'' Sone wrote.

"Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the fires...Even under such difficult circumstances, it is encouraging to see so many organizations, volunteers, and individuals donating food, supplies and time to help with ongoing efforts. The perseverance and resilience of Angelenos is amazing and what the City of Angels represents.

"Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles is now working with Japanese and Japanese American businesses and communities to join these relief efforts. Japan is a nation that has experienced natural disasters and we are thankful for the generous support supplied by Southern California when it was needed the most. We stand with you all to support immediate needs and will do our best to collaborate with authorities, communities, and all of you to rebuild communities devastated by the fires,'' the message continued.

MORE: SoCal Wildfires - How You Can Help

City News Service contributed to this report.

A dust and ash advisory has been issued for Los Angeles County until 7 p.m. Wednesday "due to harmful particle pollution levels from windblown dust and ash" as the Eaton and Palisades fire continue to burn.

This pollution can embed deep into the lungs and cause health problems including heart disease symptoms, asthma attacks and an increased risk for respiratory infections.

A dust and ash advisory has been issued for L.A. County until 7 p.m. Wednesday "due to harmful particle pollution levels from windblown dust and ash."

Health experts and public officials have urged those impacted by the fires to protect themselves from air pollution carried by these winds by staying indoors, wearing protective equipment when needed and taking steps to purify air in the home.

You'll also want to keep your eyes safe, so wear goggles or some sort of eye protection.

MORE: Here's what to know about air quality issues from SoCal fires

ABC News contributed to this report.