LA fires update: Arrests to surpass 100

LOS ANGELES - Authorities said nearly 100 fire-related arrests have been made - including two additional arson arrests - since the start of the wildfires in the Los Angeles area on Jan. 7.

The 97 arrests include charges of burglary, looting, vandalism, and curfew violations in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, they have arrested 40 suspects, while the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is reporting 39 arrests. The Los Angeles Police Department has made 14 arrests, officials said during a press conference Wednesday. 

SUGGESTED: 20 people arrested for looting homes of those evacuated in LA fires: Sheriff

LASD Sheriff Robert Luna said two arrests are related to illegal drone incidents. Also, two more men in black jumpsuits were arrested near the home of Vice President Kamala Harris for curfew violations. 

A second person was also arrested for impersonating a firefighter in the Palisades Fire zone, Luna said.

"Somebody else who was dressed like a fireman; he was not a fireman," Luna said. "I got to give a lot of credit to our deputies for being proactive, stopping him, and arresting him."

One other person was arrested over the weekend in a similar nature. In that case, Luna said the suspect had been attempting to burglarize a home while impersonating a firefighter. 

At least three people have been arrested in recent days on suspicion of trying to start other fires.

SUGGESTED: 2nd person arrested for impersonating firefighter in Palisades Fire zone

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said officers responded at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to Glenoaks and Van Nuys boulevards, where a resident had detained a suspect who allegedly set fire to a tree. The resident was able to douse the fire and call police. When officers arrived, the suspect admitted setting the fire, saying "he liked the smell of burning leaves," McDonnell said.

LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who on Monday announced charges against 10 people -- nine for looting in recent burn areas and one for arson unrelated to the major blazes -- said Wednesday morning his office has charged two additional people in arson cases.

Hochman said one person was charged with setting fire to bushes, pallets and a tractor-trailer in the city of Industry, and that person is looking at up to seven years in prison. Another person was charged with setting a fire under a freeway underpass in Irwindale, and that person is facing up to 14 years behind bars, Hochman said.

SUGGESTED: 9 charged with looting in LA fires, 1 with arson, DA Hochman says

Hochman also said his office is actively investigating other cases of looting and price-gauging in the wake of the massive Palisades and Eaton fires.

A curfew continues to be in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation zones of both fires. Only firefighters, utility workers and law enforcement personnel are allowed in those areas.