With winds picking up again, much of the region was still on alert for new outbreaks and flareups from the fires that have killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Better conditions expected in the coming days should help fire crews to make even more headway and allow residents to return to their neighbourhoods to begin rebuilding.
Still, firefighters and police were dealing with new challenges. Since the beginning of the initial wildfire outbreak last week, authorities have arrested about half a dozen people accused of setting new, small fires that were quickly knocked down.
One suspect admitted starting a fire in a tree "because he liked the smell of burning leaves," Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said. Another arson suspect said "she enjoyed causing chaos and destruction," he said Wednesday.
Authorities have not determined a cause for any of the major fires that are on track to become the nation's costliest fire disaster.
LA officials, who already have been criticised for hydrants running dry, faced more allegations of not doing enough.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley defended her decisions.
"I can tell you and stand before you, we did everything in our capability to surge where we could," she told a news conference.
Crowley insisted that despite "limited capacity" within the department, crews were able to respond swiftly by calling for assistance from other agencies and issuing a plea for help on social media to off-duty firefighters.
More manageable winds on Tuesday allowed firefighters to make progress in the deadliest and most destructive fires. Almost half of the Eaton Fire just north of LA has been contained, and one-fifth of the fire that destroyed much of the seaside neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades is now surrounded.
Crews have searched more than 5,500 properties for victims from the Eaton Fire. (AP PHOTO)
Both of those fires broke out January 7 in conditions similar to what was expected on Wednesday. The weather service has issued red-flag warnings — indicating temperatures are warm, humidity is low and strong winds are expected — through Wednesday afternoon from the Central Coast south to the border with Mexico.
Los Angeles authorities promised to do everything they could to help people recover from the fires and rebuild.
LA Mayor Karen Bass has issued an executive order to help expedite the recovery by eliminating red tape and allowing people to live in tiny homes and trailers while they rebuild.
With almost no rain in more than eight months, the brush-filled region has had more than a dozen wildfires this year, mostly in the greater Los Angeles area.
The four largest fires around the nation's second-biggest city have scorched more than 163 square kilometres, roughly three times the size of Manhattan.
Nearly 30 people remain missing, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Wednesday.
Deputies have searched more than 5,500 properties for victims from the Eaton Fire and hope to finish in that area by Thursday, he said.
The Grammy awards ceremony will happen Sunday in LA and will focus on helping the city's recovery.
