Looters are already stealing from homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area as wildfires continue to burn, and county officials said Thursday that people caught breaking the law will be punished.
"In the midst of the emergency, we have all seen individuals who are targeting vulnerable communities by burglarizing and looting homes," Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger told reporters Thursday, reports NBC News. "This is simply unacceptable."
Barger said that the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has already arrested 20 looters since the wildfires broke out Tuesday.
"I promise you, you will be held accountable," she said, addressing looters directly. "Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis."
Law enforcement officers are patrolling the communities proactively to protect them from looting and other criminal activities, Barger added.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna also said lawbreaking during the fire emergency is "absolutely unacceptable."
"I'm going to make this crystal clear to everybody out there," he said. "We are up to 20 individuals who chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people, who have been through so much, of their property."
The sheriff said he expects there will be more arrests, and sheriff's deputies encountering people in zones that are under mandatory evacuation orders have been told to arrest them.
"If you are in one of these areas and you do not belong there, you will be subject to arrest," said Luna. "I hope that is as clear as I can make it."
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who was elected in November, called looting "despicable" and promised his office would take "maximal punishment" while prosecuting looters.
More than 100,000 people have been evacuated in Los Angeles County, with the fires burning through businesses, homes, and more.
The Palisades fire is the largest of the wildfires and has encompassed roughly 27 square miles. Images from the scene show entire blocks destroyed by fire.
The officials addressing reporters Thursday did not say where there has been looting. Two people were arrested for allegedly looting in the Eaton fire burn zone, which includes much of the Altadena area.