California fires live updates: At least 10 fire-related deaths, medical examiner says

Victor Shaw is among those who lost their lives, with his sister Shari Shaw telling ABC News he died in a heroic attempt to defend his home in Altadena. The 66-year-old's body was found in front of the home, a garden hose still in his hand.

"I can't imagine what he might have been thinking, how he might have been so frightened," Shari Shaw said. "And I couldn't be here, I couldn't be here to save him. I couldn't be here, that's what hurts the most."

Shaw lived in the family home since 1965, and had health issues that impacted his mobility.

In Altadena, an area north of Pasadena, the Eaton Fire broke out Tuesday, growing to more than 13,000 acres. Up to 5,000 structures -- including businesses and homes -- have been damaged or destroyed, authorities said.

As firefighters work to contain the slew of brush fires spreading across Los Angeles County, among the emergency responders on Thursday were nearly 800 incarcerated individuals, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) confirmed to ABC News.

The prisoners, who voluntarily sign up to be a part of the Conservation (Fire) Camps program, are embedded with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection crew members (CalFire).

The participating individuals are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day plus $1 an hour when responding to active emergencies, according to CDCR.

"CDCR Fire Camp Program firefighters are proud to be embedded with CAL FIRE personnel to protect lives, property, and natural resources in Southern California," the law enforcement agency said in a statement.

Incarcerated firefighters have been working "around the clock" cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow fire spread, according to the agency, which called the program a source of "crucial support" during emergencies.

The exact number of hours the incarcerated crew members have worked since brush fires erupted in Los Angeles on Tuesday was not immediately clear.

UCLA Health told ABC News on Thursday they have treated 30 patients with fire-related injuries, up from 21 on Wednesday. The injuries were primarily smoke inhalation and burns, and most patients were treated and released, the hospital said.

The LA County Department of Health Services also told ABC News on Thursday that their medical facilities have treated four patients for illness and injuries related to ongoing fires, including one patient in critical condition.

Cal Fire has been assigned to assist with recovery operations in the search for potential victims of the Eaton Fire, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during the afternoon briefing.

"Recovery operations consist of trying to coordinate all of our human remain detection teams that will be going house to house to make sure that we can account for anybody who's been killed in the fire," he said.

The confirmed death toll in the Los Angeles County fires remains at five, Sheriff Robert Luna said during the briefing, noting that the number of reported fatalities "continuously fluctuates."

"We're in a very chaotic scenario," Luna said. "We're still working in a very fluid and active environment."