Some evacuations lifted as crews make progress on Los Angeles County wildfires

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in an update Thursday that 18 people remain missing after the Southern California wildfires.

Overall, authorities received a total of 43 missing persons reports related to the Eaton and Palisades fires. Of those, 12 were located safe.

Of the 31 people who remained unaccounted for, investigators have recovered the remains of 13 of them, according to the sheriff's latest update. That leaves 18 people who are currently missing.

Investigators have been searching structures associated with missing person reports using search and rescue personnel and cadaver dogs, the sheriff's department said.

Since Pacific Palisades spans the jurisdiction of both the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department, it's possible that more people remain missing from LAPD lists.

After six long nights away, many residents who evacuated due to the Palisades Fire were allowed to return home after some evacuation orders were lifted on Thursday.

"It's phenomenal and the officers are saying 'welcome home' and it's just fabulous," said Nelly Zahari.

More than 11,000 residents living on the outskirts of the Palisades Fire were told they could return to their neighborhoods Thursday afternoon, but those streets still aren't open to the public.

From Woodland Hills to Encino and down along Sepulveda, police were checking IDs and only allowing in those who actually live there.

After six long nights away, many residents who evacuated due to the Palisades Fire were allowed to return home after some evacuation orders were lifted on Thursday.

Residents said they were grateful for the dozens of law enforcement officers, not just at checkpoints but also patrolling during all hours of the day, for likely keeping looters away.

"It was safe when we came, they had the National Guard, they had the FBI, they had the police, LAPD," said Cathia Charvarejian.

Last Friday night, as the Palisades Fire reached Mulholland Drive and cast an ominous fiery glow over the San Fernando Valley, entire neighborhoods were told to evacuate. Many left, unsure if they'd have a house to return to.

"All these like huge fire clouds over our houses, we were just like helpless and praying at that point," said Joe Sarafian.

Ultimately, the fire never reached the Valley but as people returned, they said there was still an uneasy feeling.

"Hope for the best but prepare for worse and so we were just continuing to track and we didn't really let our guard down up until even now," said Anna Karapetyan. "We still have our cars packed or we're thinking about unloading now but, you know, it's been a stressful week."

The combined death toll from the Eaton and Palisades fires is now 27, up two from Wednesday, according to the L.A. County Medical Examiner. There are 17 deaths attributed to the Eaton Fire and 10 tied to the Palisades Fire.

We all know the air quality is precarious right now, but a picture by the EPA shows just how extreme it can be if your area is affected by wildfire smoke.

On the left is a new H-VAC filter, and on the right is a filter after just 15 days during a wildfire smoke event.

Experts say a clean filter will remove particles more effectively. They also recommend a higher-efficiency filter if possible.

MORE: As SoCal fires continue to smolder, experts warn of hidden dangers in the air

Air quality remains a big concern in Los Angeles County, and not just for those nearby the Palisades and Eaton wildfires.