Looting increases as Los Angeles fires continue

A "No Looters" sign stands on a road in the Eaton Altadena neighborhood of California after residents fled the area, according to CNN.

Police are cracking down on looters in evacuation zones, with seven arrests made in the past two days alone, according to Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Mike Lorenz.

"Loitering is a challenge right now, and the number of looters is constantly increasing," he said at a meeting in the Palisades area on Saturday night.

"We're arresting looters inside the area and we're getting better at securing the area every day. We've even arrested two people who were posing as firefighters entering and exiting homes," the officer added.

"Some residents who were forced to flee have hired private security guards to protect whatever is left in their homes," Lorenz added.

Authorities say a curfew is in place in all evacuation zones to protect property and prevent theft or looting. Violators of the curfew are subject to arrest under Los Angeles law and could face a fine of up to $1,000 or jail time.

A wildfire in Los Angeles has burned down expensive properties and forested areas, but officials and media outlets have blamed the blaze on the weather.

All of the major fires this week have been located within a 25-mile radius of downtown Los Angeles, sending shockwaves through America’s second-largest city. No definitive cause has been determined for the largest wildfire in modern U.S. history.