Death toll soars to 24 in Los Angeles wildfires as intensifying winds raise concerns

California authorities announced Sunday night  that at least 24 people have died during the first week of the Los Angeles wildfires as they braced for intensifying winds to complicate firefighting efforts.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said many of the dead remain unidentified.

"The DME cannot confirm human remains until after the DME processes them at our facility," the office said.

The death total rose by eight since Saturday, when 16 deaths were announced.

The dead included 16 from the Eaton Fire and eight in the Palisades fire.

Winds are expected to pick up after a brief lull as the National Weather Service issued a red flag alert for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday.