Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said Tuesday that “life-threatening and destructive and widespread winds” are in the region, which could fuel the growth of new or existing wildfires in Los Angeles County and Ventura County.

Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters arrived at the Los Angeles area on Monday ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive infernos that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.

A beefed-up firefighting force was staged around Los Angeles to attack flare-ups or new blazes and anxious residents were prepared for the worst as dangerous winds were expected to build Tuesday, a week after two massive infernos destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.