LOS ANGELS — Facing another potentially disastrous extended wind event next week, Los Angeles County officials put on a united front Saturday as they updated ongoing efforts to battle the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires.

"We are hurting, grieving ... still in shock and angry, and I am too," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, appearing beside Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley, who criticized city officials Friday for cutting the department's budget.

"... But in spite of the grief, in spite of the anger, in spite of the shock, we have got to stay focused until this time passes, until the fires are out," Bass said. "Now we need to stay focused, but I will say that when the fires are out, make no mistake: We will have a full accounting of what worked and especially what did not."

"... Let me be clear about something," Bass continued. "The fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences that we might have will be worked out in private, but right now our first and most important obligation to Angelenos to get through this crisis. When the fire is out, there will be time for us to evaluate, but at the same time, we also must begin the recovery effort, and there'll be more to come from that in the next few days."

During interviews with CNN and Fox11, Crowley emphasized how she had been sounding the alarm since the "very beginning" about the needs of the LAFD. She added that such impacts "did absolutely negatively impact" the department's response.

"The $17 million budget cut and elimination of our civilian positions like our mechanics did, and has, and will continue to severely impact our ability to repair apparatus," Crowley said on CNN. "I want to also be clear that I have, over the last three years, been clear that the Fire Department needs help," Crowley said. "We can no longer sustain where we are. We do not have enough firefighters."

After being pressed by a Fox11 reporter on whether the city failed the department, Crowley said: "Yes."

Her remarks led to a late-afternoon closed-door meeting Friday with Bass at City Hall. The two met at a time when they had been scheduled to deliver a public update on the fight against the various fires burning in the area. As a result, only Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell spoke at that briefing.

"As Mayor Bass has stated, she and I met yesterday to discuss our shared priorities," Crowley said Saturday morning. "Number one, first and foremost, we are both focused on our urgent needs to mitigate these devastating wildfires. Our top priorities are saving lives and protecting property. Second, we are committed to working together on community recovery and rebuilding efforts. Three, we are focused on building an LAFD that reflects the needs of the community we serve and which will prepare us for the many challenges that are ahead of all of us."

"... We're looking forward over the next few days and into the next week, we'll be facing another critical weather event," Crowley said. "I want to assure the residents within our incredible city of Los Angeles that Mayor Bass, Chief McDonnell and I are in lock step together and that we will utilize every single resource at our disposal to ensure public safety and that we, holistically, protest Angelenos."

Meanwhile, authorities announced that a task force was being formed to investigate the cause of the wildfire. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna described it as an "extremely active and fluid investigation," and said LASD detectives were working with the county and city fire departments, the LAPD, FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

"We don't want any gaps in information any and every clue is important," Luna said. "If anybody out there has any information on anything suspicious, maybe there's a conversation, maybe there's a social media post, something that you think just doesn't sound right, get it to us."

The ATF was leading the investigation.

"ATF will take the lead in determining the origin and cause of the Pacific Palisades fire," the agency said Saturday. "Certified fire investigators have been on scene and will continue to work in conjunction with state and local investigators to determine the cause of this tragic event."

The deadly Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in Altadena, along with a handful of other substantial blazes, erupted Tuesday and Wednesday as the area was under a red flag warning prompted by an unusually strong and extended wind event that saw gusts of 80 mph.

Forecasters said another round of gusty northeast winds were on the way Saturday through Sunday, with gusts as strong as 50 to 70 mph in some mountains, then a stronger offshore wind event likely between Monday night and Wednesday with general gusts of 40 to 60 mph.

National Weather Service forecasters had said there would be a "significant drop off" in wind velocity through Saturday.

"This gives the area about an 18-hour reprieve in the winds through late morning Saturday before the next burst of offshore flow and wind begins ... into Sunday morning," according to the NWS.

That weekend wind event "seems generally focused on the San Gabriel Mountains but probably at least some advisory-level winds down into some of the valleys and Santa Monica Mountains."

The NWS issued a high wind watch that will be in effect for the San Gabriel Mountains, western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway that will be in effect Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. Those areas could see winds ranging from 30 to 50 mph, potentially gusting up to 60 mph.

But more powerful winds are anticipated to hit the region early next week. 

"Right now it looks like Tuesday will be the strongest day," forecasters said. "Unlike this week's very dangerous event, which was more of a northerly wind event, this one is very likely to be a traditional (northeast) Santa Ana event. Still, the low humidities and the winds will combine to bring enhanced fire danger to the area."

The county has implemented a curfew that will be in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation areas in the Eaton and Palisades fire zones in an effort to deter looting.

The California National Guard also began deploying to the Los Angeles area Friday, with members deployed to the Eaton Fire area and into cities including Santa Monica and Pasadena. They were also expected to be stationed at locations in Arcadia and Azusa, as well as at the Palisades Fire. Luna said Guard members will be deployed to the area to assist with traffic control, patrols and other duties. 

President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the state on Wednesday in response to the fires — some of which he was able to witness firsthand while wrapping up a short visit to the LA area. He received a briefing from fire officials before he left the Southland on Wednesday afternoon.

During a fire briefing at the White House Thursday, Biden announced that federal assistance that was previously approved to help pay for the costs of the firefighting efforts and recovery — which normally covers only 75% of expenses — will now cover 100% of costs for 180 days.

Also Saturday, officials with the County Office of Emergency Management addressed the erroneous evacuation alerts that were went to thousands of Southland residents' cell phones earlier in the week, calling it a "software system problem," and promising to "drill down with our vendor" to find the source of the problem. Officials said the county emergency alert system would tie in with state system to ensure accurate information.

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said she would be reaching out to the CEO of GoFundMe after she tried to donate to a friend and learned "they were going to charge me $95" for a $500 donation. Barger said she would ask the company to cut that cost and make sure more of the money goes directly to those in need.

The supervisor added that she was working with FEMA to correct a glitch that was not permitting people to pursue further information if they check a box stating that they have insurance.

Also on Saturday, Supervisor Barger invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit LA County to see the devestation of the wildfires firsthand. 

"The White House's engagement allows for rapid deployment of federal resources, including emergency personnel and financial assistance," she said on X.

As is standard during high-fire-danger conditions, Southern California Edison customers in some areas were having their power turned off under the utility's Public Safety Power Shutoffs program. The program is designed to de-energize power lines that could potentially be damaged and spark a wildfire during red flag conditions.

"As of Sat., 1/11, 9:30 a.m., 51,848 customers are without power. PSPS numbers will continually change as field reports and system updates are completed," the utility said. Updated information about power cuts is available online.