California fires live updates: Looks like 'atomic bomb dropped,' sheriff says

People applying for individual and public assistance programs through the Federal Emergency Management Agency can use that assistance for hotels and other lodging expenses, according to former FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor.

During large scale wildfires, FEMA uses Fire Management Assistance Grants, which can be deployed almost immediately and do not require any declaration by the current administrator or president, Gaynor told ABC News. And when President Joe Biden signed an emergency declaration this week, it unlocked a host of resources people can apply to if they were impacted by the fires, Gaynor said.

"Things like temporary housing repair, replacement of homes, temporary housing units, unemployment insurance," he said. "There's an ability to give quick cash to people to make sure that if they need something right away, they can get cash."

-ABC News’ Luke Barr

The Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades has now scorched over 20,000 acres -- larger than all of Manhattan, which is 14,600 acres.

The fire is 6% contained.

The Palisades and Eaton fires have become the No. 1 and No. 2 most destructive fires in Southern California history in terms of structures burned.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles has been catastrophic and that he is anxious the death toll may increase.

“Please be patient with us,” Luna said in a press conference on Thursday evening. “This is an active chaotic situation in all the places that we're at … we want to give the more the most specific, accurate information. So we're going to wait until it is safe, and just to paint a picture for you, our firefighters, our deputy sheriffs, our police officers are going into these areas. There are still active fires, there are gas leaks. It is dangerous.”

When asked about the potential of the current death toll rising, Luna said he was “nervous” that it could.

“The last number that we gave was five,” said Luna. “I believe that splits two from Palisades and three from the Altadena incident. But even as I'm telling you that it's leaving my lips, I'm nervous about that number. And the obvious question is, do you think it's going to grow? I am praying it doesn't. But based on the devastation that is clear, looks like a bomb, an atomic bomb dropped in these areas. I don't expect good news, and we're not looking forward to those numbers.”

There are currently five wildfires still burning around Los Angeles county -- Palisades, Eaton, Lidia, Hurst and a new one called Kenneth.

The Santa Ana winds are gusting over 80 mph overnight in the mountains outside of Los Angeles with the Malibu Coast gusting to 46 mph overnight.

The strongest winds have happened overnight and are expected to begin to relax this afternoon and evening.

The dry weather, however, is not expected to improve as relative humidity will continue to be 7% to 15% for most of southern California.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a “critical” fire risk for parts of southern California and an “elevated” fire risk for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

A red flag Warning will continue Friday through 6 p.m. PST for Los Angeles and a high wind warning for all of southern California from Los Angeles to San Diego is in effect until 2 p.m. this afternoon.

Much calmer winds are predicted for this evening -- only in the single digits for most areas -- but it looks like another strong Santa Ana wind even is forecast next week, especially Tuesday and Wednesday.