Thousands of firefighters are battling the sprawling wildfires across LA.
Nearly a dozen people are believed to be dead -- with the Los Angeles County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as devastating fires spread across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction.
Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the LA area. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 21,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 8% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 13,000 acres and is 3% contained. More than 100,000 people are under evacuation orders.
David Muir anchors a special edition of "20/20" with continuing coverage of the deadly California fires. “American Catastrophe: LA Burning - A Special Edition of 20/20” starts tonight at 9/8c on ABC.
Approximately 100,053 residents remain under evacuation orders in the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Kenneth and Lidia fires, according to Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Myron Johnson.
Another 166,800 residents are under evacuation warnings, he said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said they have made 18 arrests so far regarding criminal activity in connection with the Eaton and Palisades fires.
Charges include looting, burglary, identity theft, possession of burglary tools and possession of narcotics, Assistant Sheriff Myron Johnson said during a briefing Friday.
One suspect was on active parole and was also charged with possession of a concealed firearm, Johnson said.
A curfew enacted in the Palisades and the Eaton fire areas will remain in effect until further notice and "is being taken to enhance public safety, protect property and prevent looting in areas where residents have been evacuated," he said.
Over 7,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
Officials will be holding a virtual meeting on Friday at 4 p.m. PT for all residents to ask city officials questions.
The Eaton Fire is now at nearly 14,000 acres with 3% containment.
President Joe Biden said he expects the death toll from the fires to increase.
"It will increase, whether significantly or not, we don't know yet. There's still a lot of people around, accounting for," Biden said.
The president said the White House is coordinating with the incoming Trump administration on the federal response.
"Everything they know, every single thing we're doing about the report, the response. My hope is that they'll have -- at least acknowledge we have some significant experience in this, we've done really well on it. I’m praying that they continue the focus," he said.
Biden said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has activated its critical needs assistance, which provides a one-time payment of $750 to survivors so they can quickly purchase critical items like water, formula, gas and prescription drugs.
"This is not going to be over, even when all the fires are out," Biden warned.
"We're going to need the United States Congress to follow up with appropriations to help provide for significant help," Biden said.
The president and Vice President Kamala Harris praised the work of first responders and Harris noted the moments of optimism amid the devastation.
"People looking out for each other, regardless of where they come from or who they voted for, they're looking out for each other and showing the best of the American spirit in a moment of crisis," Harris said.
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart, Kelsey Walsh and Molly Nagle
