A new wildfire has broken out in Ventura County as the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire have been burning for one week in Los Angeles County.

A growing force of firefighters battled massive infernos across the Los Angeles area on Monday as more powerful winds moved in and threatened recent progress against wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.

More powerful winds were expected to trigger new wildfires that could set back the recent progress made in containing blazes in the Los Angeles area that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed a

The Palisades Fire – the largest blaze – has killed at least five people. The Eaton Fire, above Altadena in northern Los Angeles County, has killed at least six people and burned more than 21 square miles, leaving apocalyptic scenes of destruction.

Wildfires are ravaging the Los Angeles area, spreading rapidly due to dry and windy conditions.The fires have burned through over 40,000 acres. Officials report that at least 24 people have died.Analysts estimate damages caused by the fires may top $50 billion — breaking previous state records.

Millions of people in Southern California are on alert as critical fire weather returns to the region this week. This comes as thousands of firefighters are continuing their relentless assault on several wildfires that broke out in the Los Angeles area since last week.