Law enforcement also warned against price gouging, internet scams, and flying drones, which can interfere with firefighting aircraft
Los Angeles residents are bracing for further destruction as weather forecasts indicate that winds helping fuel the flames might pick up again.
Three fires continue to blaze. The largest, the Palisades Fire, has burned more than 23,000 acres and remained at 14% contained as of Monday evening.
LA Mayor Karen Bass said “urgent preparations” are being made in advance of near hurricane-force winds predicted to peak on Tuesday.
At least 24 people have died in the fires and 23 others are missing in the Eaton and Palisades fire zones.
On Monday, authorities also announced nine people were arrested for looting and one for arson.
At a news conference, LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman showed videos of some looting and outlined maximum sentences if the accused are convicted.
In some of the cases the suspects could face life in prison under California’s “three strikes” law – under which repeat offenders can be sentenced to 25 years to life after a third conviction.
The one arson suspect was arrested in the nearby city of Azusa, around 20 miles (32km) east of downtown Los Angeles.
The arson is not linked to any of the major fires but was allegedly started in a local park.
Law enforcement also warned against price gouging, internet scams, and flying drones, which can interfere with firefighting aircraft.
They said a number of ongoing investigations means more charges could be filed.
Blake Chow, the assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department’s office of special operations, issued a stern warning to looters: “You’re not going to get away with it.”
Also on Monday, two lawsuits were filed against power company Southern California Edison (SCE) by property owners who lost homes in the Eaton fire.
They alleged the company failed to de-energise its electrical equipment despite warnings of high winds.
A company spokesperson said that SCE had not yet been served with the complaint but that would review it once received.
“The cause of the fire continues to be under investigation,” the spokesperson said.
A separate lawsuit was filed against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) by residents of the Pacific Palisades, accusing the utility company of failing to supply enough water to fight the fire there.
The complaint, filed by law firm Robertson & Associates in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims a reservoir that had been drained should have been maintained.
“The Palisades Fire has been a traumatic event for its victims, who through no fault of their own, went from homeowners to homeless in a matter of hours,” the complaint said, according to Reuters news agency.
bbc.com