LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 13, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Tens of thousands of 
people forced from their homes by enormous fires raking Los Angeles will not 
be able to return for at least four days, officials said Sunday.

Frustrated evacuees have formed lines at checkpoints hoping to get into 
evacuation zones created for the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, whose 
massive blazes razed whole neighborhoods.

Many are desperate to get back to homes they had to flee with just a few 
moments' notice to pick up medicines or clothes they did not have a chance to 
grab.

Others simply want to find out if their houses have survived.

But Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Sunday that gusting 
winds forecast this week mean the fire emergency is far from over.

"They can't go home, simply because it's not safe," he told a press 
conference.

"It's our collective priority... to be able to get residents back in their 
homes just as quickly as possible.

"That conversation is not going to occur until the end of the predicted red 
flag event that's on its way," he said, referring to the strong winds 
expected to last until Wednesday.

"Please rest assured that first thing Thursday, we will start talking about 
repopulation."

Lines several city blocks long have seen people queueing for up to 11 hours 
for a short escorted visit to their home in an evacuation zone.

One woman, who gave her name as Janelle, told broadcaster KTLA she knew her 
house was gone, but she needed "closure."

"I see the photos, I see the videos, and I just want to see it with my own 
eyes," she said, her voice breaking.

"I know it's gone, but... I just want to see it for myself."

But even those escorted visits were stopped Sunday, as firefighters fretted 
about strengthening winds and their potential to reignite smoldering embers.

Marrone said a system was being developed to allow evacuated residents to go 
online to view if their homes were damaged or destroyed.

Los Angeles City Councilor Traci Park said she understood the anguish of 
those affected, but conditions were simply too difficult.

"These are hard decisions, and I know that many of my constituents are 
disappointed and frustrated, but safety must remain our top priority," she 
said.

Around 100,000 people remain under compulsory evacuation orders in multiple 
fire zones, down from a peak of 180,000 last week.

Areas hit by fires have been devastated, with whole streets reduced to 
cinders, and infrastructure badly mangled.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said his deputies would continue to 
keep people out of the zones.

"A lot of these areas still look like they were hit by a bomb. There are live 
electrical wires, gas lines and other hazards," he said.

"I know there's a lot of folks trying to get back to their houses. We are 
very empathetic and sensitive to those needs, but your safety comes first."