LOS ANGELES – The apocalyptic and deadly wildfires ravaging Southern California remain extremely volatile Thursday as a terrifying third day of a critical fire weather threat grips much of Los Angeles County, and officials say that the ongoing fires are a crisis. At least five people have been killed, and the human cost of the disaster is likely to increase significantly in the days and weeks ahead.Both the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Medical Examiner’s Office were spotted at the scenes of rubble around the Palisades Fire disaster area on Thursday.”Information is still very preliminary, but there have been multiple deaths in the fire areas. Homicide investigators have not had the chance to process any of the scenes due to the dangerous conditions still at each location, such as spot fires, downed power lines and leaking gas. Once homicide investigators can assess the scenes, more information will be provided,” a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.The FBI said in a statement the agency stands ready to assist if requested.”We’re working with our coroner’s office to figure out those numbers, so be patient with us when you ask us about death toll numbers right now,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. “Frankly, we don’t know yet. We eventually will.”The infernos’ full-blown assault from once-hurricane-force winds ignited five major fires across the region, scorching over 29,000 acres of land. More than 293,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate as the region’s relentless enemy continues to consume everything in its path. The cause of the fires is unknown at this time, according to officials.The economic toll of these fires is staggering. Initial estimates place the damage costs at around $52 billion, potentially making this the costliest wildfire event in U.S. history.LIVE UPDATES: DEADLY CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES FORCE EVACUATIONS, DESTROY OVER 2,000 STRUCTURESCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel have been deployed to protect the state. President Joe Biden has also approved Newsom’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing response efforts to combat the relentless advance of five monstrous blazes – the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Sunset fires – each fueled by the most ferocious Santa Ana winds in over 14 years.Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported late Thursday morning that the Sunset Fire was fully contained after burning 43 acres and prompting evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.”We are putting all available resources behind fighting these wildfires, including leveraging local and federal assets,” Newsom said. “California has thousands of boots on the ground working to combat these fires. The state is leaving no stone unturned to protect California communities.”Local fire departments reported that the Palisades and Eaton fires have damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 structures. The figure includes numerous homes, businesses and schools reduced to ash, making it the county’s most destructive fire on record.The Los Angeles Unified School District confirmed at least two elementary schools and a high school were either damaged or destroyed in the flames. All schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, and the district said it will continue assessing the situation over the next 24 hours and prepare for the possibility of online learning on Friday.”The confluence of factors – wind, fire and smoke – have created dangerous, complex situations that present unsafe conditions for our school communities,” district administrators said. BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGES SHOW THE EXTENT OF WILDFIRE DAMAGE AROUND LOS ANGELESThe monstrous Palisades Fire ignited in the Santa Monica Mountains late Tuesday morning and exploded in a fury, consuming more than 19,000 acres as of the last check, according to CAL FIRE. FOX News Senior National Correspondent William La Jeunesse reported from the heart of the Palisades on Thursday, highlighting the critical issue of water shortages, with reports of depleted water tanks hindering firefighting efforts. While the Department of Water and Power (DWP) denies these claims, residents have been advised to boil tap water due to potential contamination. “L.A. County and all 29 fire departments in our county are not prepared for this type of widespread disaster,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone told reporters at a news conference Wednesday. “There are not enough firefighters in L.A. County to address four separate fires of this magnitude.”WATCH: LOS ANGELES HOME COLLAPSES LIVE ON FOX WEATHER AS WILDFIRES RAGE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIACommunication challenges further complicate the situation. Power outages and disrupted cell service have left many residents isolated and unable to contact loved ones. Elon Musk has pledged to provide Starlink satellite internet service to affected areas, offering a lifeline for communication. DWP said it had restored power to more than 150,000 of its 1.5 million electric customers since the start of the firestorm.CALIFORNIA MAN SCORCHED BY FLAMES TRYING TO SAVE NEIGHBORHOOD BURNING IN PALISADES FIREThe Eaton Fire, burning near Pasadena in the Angeles National Forest and Los Angeles’ San Gabriel Valley, has claimed five lives. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said a significant number of injuries have also been reported.Search and rescue teams, including K-9 units, are actively searching for any additional victims. Authorities said four firefighters have been injured in the uncontained blaze, which threatens more than 39,000 structures. Gusty winds continue on Thursday but are significantly lower than in the past 48 hours. Strong winds are expected to return Friday.Long-duration Fire Weather Warnings remain in effect for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Thursday, with Fire Weather Watches posted from Thursday night into Friday.The Los Angeles Fire Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents in the Van Owen/City Border/Burbank area on Thursday afternoon.The fire was last reported to have consumed 50 acres but has not destroyed any homes.Resources from other major fires were diverted to the Kenneth Fire to help to contain the blaze.A nearby weather station was reporting winds of 10-20 mph but was expected to increase through the evening after sunset.