PASADENA, Calif. − Firefighters were battling two monstrous wildfires Wednesday as weary residents across Los Angeles County stayed alert for another round of the Santa Ana winds that have fanned the flames of a catastrophe unfolding across sprawling, once-picturesque communities..

Winds were weaker than predicted Tuesday, and firefighting crews made progress containing the deadly blazes as they awaited the return of dangerous winds. The National Weather Service issued a new "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties that is expected to last through Wednesday afternoon.

"We are not out of the woods yet. Please stay on guard for a fast-moving fire," the weather service's Los Angeles office warned.

Wind gusts in the mountains were forecast to peak at 50-70 mph, according to the weather service. Coastal and valley areas were expected to see winds up to 50 mph. But the news was not all bad.

"The good news is that the winds through the Santa Monica mountains will be focused on the western third of the range far away from the Palisades Fire," the weather service said in a forecast discussion. "The really good news is that today will be the last really windy day."

At least 25 people have died in the fires. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said about 88,000 county residents remained under mandatory evacuation orders. Another 84,800 residents under evacuation warnings were urged to be prepared to leave their homes.Partners ride out the Eaton Fire in Pasadena

Partners Robert Bullock and David Anderson stayed in their historic home just outside Pasadena as the Eaton Fire flared up last week. Although their home was inside the mandatory evacuation zone, they wanted to protect their home from burning embers that landed in their yard and on their roof.

“If we were a house in the middle of the forest and the forest was burning, then I could see abandoning it, but I couldn’t see it otherwise,” Bullock said.

But as the flames receded, Bullock and Anderson had to contend with people who appeared to be looters, who swept into their neighborhood seemingly for no other reason than to take advantage of the empty homes. The pair relied on a rifle purchased about two years ago for their own security, but were unable to fall asleep the first night of the fires.

“The first two nights were terrible,” Bullock said, noting he could hear the booms of propane tanks and ammunition exploding in the distance as the fire raged. “It sounded like Iraq.”

Cal Fire: Don't come to LA to clean up fires

Thousands of firefighters are battling the blazes, including hundreds sent from fire departments in other states. Cal Fire, however, said an inaccurate social media post circulating on Facebook claims random people can come to California to join a cleanup crew in areas affected by the fires.

"This information is false, and we would like to clarify that there is no such opportunity available," Cal Fire said in a statement. "We kindly ask that you refrain from calling in to inquire about this."

Los Angeles fire update: Some gains made

The Palisades Fire has consumed 37 square miles and is 19% contained, Cal Fire said in an update Wednesday. The agency said the Eaton Fire containment percentage was 45%; over 22 square miles have burned.

The Auto Fire, which began Monday evening in Ventura County, has burned 61 acres and was 47% contained, according to Cal Fire and the Ventura County Fire Department. Forward progress on the fire was stopped and the blaze remained "static in its original footprint," the department said Tuesday evening.

Critical fire weather, high winds in store for LA area next week

The latest round of strong Santa Ana winds is expected to abate later this week and over the weekend, but forecasters say the reprieve won't last long as windstorms could return to the Los Angeles area next week. And from Jan. 22 to Jan. 25, “another round of Santa Ana winds may emerge, coupled with anomalously dry weather conditions,” the National Weather Service said in a forecast, adding that “the exact timing and magnitude remain uncertain.”

Critical red flag warnings across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties were set to expire Wednesday evening. Fire weather warnings over a mountainous area north of Los Angeles were extended into Thursday.

LA area could see more power shutoffs amid strong winds

More than 90,000 homes and businesses in Southern California were without power Wednesday, including more than 30,000 in Los Angeles County and 32,000 in neighboring San Bernardino County. Additionally, residents in areas at risk for wildfires could experience power shutoffs this week as Los Angeles remains under a critical red flag warning, the city’s water and power department said.

The department asked residents across the region, especially those living in mountainous areas, to prepare for power outages by charging their phones and keeping a flashlight and extra batteries handy.

“Local fire authorities may ask LADWP to de-energize power lines as a preventative measure, to help prevent wildfires and protect communities,” the Los Angeles Water and Power Department said in a statement.

Restoration may not happen quickly for those who lose power: “LADWP crews may not be able to automatically re-energize power lines serving your home or business,” the department said. “LADWP is taking these steps to protect public safety.”

What schools are open in Los Angeles?

Thousands of students across Los Angeles County attend schools that were destroyed or damaged by the wildfires. While most schools in the Los Angeles area continued to welcome students back into their classrooms on Wednesday, some remained closed as the return of strong winds threatened to stoke the blazes again.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the nation, reopened most of its schools on Monday and has since announced it may start to resume activities such as recess, outdoor PE classes and athletics this week.

Not all schools have reopened since the fires began last week. The Pasadena Unified School District, which serves about 14,000 students, is not set to resume classes until at least next Monday.

Undergraduate and graduate classes at the University of California, Los Angeles, will remain online through Friday.

Anguished families struggle to retrieve pets

The wildfires gave triggered a massive pet-rescue effort, and Krissy Simmel is among the unofficial volunteers on the front lines of the effort.

Erik Morentin, a 35-year-old non-profit consultant, drove to Pacific Palisades last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday trying to rescue cats belonging to his aging mother-in-law and her roommate. Morentin told USA TODAY he was turned away each day while being told residents could enter only to retrieve medication, not pets. On Friday, Morentin said, he was ready to give up.

That's when Simmel stepped in, persuading security to allow her to bring Morentin to the home. It was intact and the cats were alive, Morentin said.

“I ran back to Sunset (Boulevard) and Krissy met me up in her Jeep, and it was just completely overwhelming,’’ he said. “I just said, ‘Thank you so much. You just saved these cats' lives.’ ” Read more here.

− Josh Peter

Authorities search for missing people

At least 25 people have been killed in the wildfires, according to an update from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The medical examiner initially reported an additional death from the Eaton Fire on Tuesday that was later determined to be non-human remains.

By Tuesday night, the county medical examiner attributed another death to the Palisades Fire. In total, the Eaton Fire has killed at least 16 people while the Palisades Fire has left at least nine others dead.

Search and rescue operations remained ongoing as local authorities continued going door-to-door to find missing victims. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Tuesday that 24 people were still missing in areas hit by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

'If we leave, we can’t come back': Residents face 24-hour curfew

Partners Robert Bullock and David Anderson stayed in their historic home just outside Pasadena as the Eaton Fire flared up last week.

Though their home was inside the mandatory evacuation zone, they said they felt like they needed to make an effort to save their home from burning embers that landed in their yard and on their roof.

"If we were a house in the middle of the forest and the forest was burning, then I could see abandoning it, but I couldn’t see it otherwise," Bullock said.

More than a week since the Eaton Fire started, Bullock and Anderson remain in their home. But now, they cannot leave their block because police have instituted a 24-hour curfew. They have no power and heat their home with a gas fireplace. They say many of their neighbors cannot return because of the curfew.

“We’re here until further notice,” Anderson said. “Because if we leave, we can’t come back.”

Multiple roadblocks have been set up on the streets around their home. Police cars sat at many intersections to enforce the curfew. On a nearby road, armed National Guard personnel only allowed authorized vehicles through.

− Sam Morgen and Jay Calderon, The Desert Sun

Contributing: USA TODAY Network; Reuters

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