Tired residents of Los Angeles are trying to restore their lives after the recent wildfires, while also remembering those who have been lost to the devastating smoke and flames that have persisted for over a week. Meanwhile, the threat of new wildfires continues to loom in the area.

As of Wednesday, the wildfires in the Los Angeles area had resulted in at least 25 fatalities. The Santa Ana winds resumed after a brief calm, which had allowed firefighters to gain some control over the situation. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that over 82,000 people were under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 90,400 awaiting potential evacuation notices.

Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing in hard-hit areas impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Here’s what we’ve learned about some of the individuals who lost their lives:

Kim Winiecki, ‘a natural writer’

Jeannette McMahon reminisced about her friend Kim Winiecki, who she had known for over two decades. Although Winiecki was naturally reserved, she would share her thoughts with her closest friends.

Living in Altadena, Winiecki had stopped driving a few years back, which meant that McMahon and other friends would take her out for dinners and social events. “Whenever I picked her up, she was always lively and full of fun,” McMahon recounted to YSL News. “She had a gift for words, and we often said she was a writer at heart.”

Retiring at 55 from a telecommunications job, the 77-year-old cherished her independence and the home she took pride in, according to McMahon. Upon noticing smoke near Winiecki’s residence, McMahon reached out with an offer to rescue her. Winiecki texted back, reassuring her friend, “I’m OK. I feel calm.”

After spending the night in their car, McMahon tried reaching Winiecki again the next day but grew increasingly anxious when she received no reply. McMahon had a sinking feeling her friend wouldn’t evacuate, as her home was everything to her. “It was her sanctuary, a place of security,” she shared.

McMahon and her friends expressed gratitude for the support shown to them and planned to honor Winiecki’s memory in the future: “We will remember her. We intend to hold a birthday celebration for her in March and a memorial service, sharing our favorite stories about her.”

Zhi Feng Zhao

The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the passing of Zhi Feng Zhao, an Altadena resident.

The 84-year-old man succumbed in his home on Tonia Avenue on January 9.

Arthur Simoneau, adventurous hang-glider

Jeff Bjorck remembered Arthur Simoneau, who he met 30 years ago through their mutual passion for hang-gliding. Bjorck described the 69-year-old as a quiet person, but “when he spoke, it was meaningful.”

“I always looked for him at the launch area before flying,” Bjorck shared with YSL News. “He was a great companion during the trip up, the setup, and the takedown. Our conversations mostly revolved around flying and our shared admiration for nature.”

Simoneau often spoke with great pride about his son and maintained that “every flight was a successful flight,” according to Bjorck. “Arthur always carried a genuine smile, and he was exactly what you saw.”

Friends created a GoFundMe page in his honor, which raised over $18,000 as of Monday afternoon.

The fundraiser, initiated by Andre Simoneau, emphasized that Arthur left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. “It wasn’t just his charm or friendliness, but his distinctive ponytail, his unique choice in footwear, or some quirk he showcased that day,” they said.

Arthur’s loved ones had long suspected that he wouldn’t die from age or illness, noting his active lifestyle, which included hang-gliding multiple times a week and skiing down challenging slopes. They always figured he would meet a spectacular end consistent with his adventurous spirit.

Annette Rossilli

Annette Rossilli, 85, tragically passed away after opting not to evacuate her Pacific Palisades residence, where she lived with her dog, canary, two parrots, and turtle, as detailed by the home health care service that attended to her. Fay Vahdani, president of Luxe Homecare, recounted visiting Rossilli last month and was struck by her cheerful and appreciative nature.

“I found her to be delightful and bubbly. She went out of her way to express gratitude for the caregiver I provided,” Vahdani said. “She was incredibly sweet and kind.”

Rossilli had two children and had been living solo in her classic Spanish-style house since the loss of her husband, according to Vahdani. “Her family is heartbroken over this,” she noted.

Vahdani highlighted that Rossilli had mobility challenges and suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which made breathing difficult, and had been under home care since May.

Despite several offers from neighbors and caregivers to evacuate, Rossilli was determined to stay for her beloved pets. Firefighters discovered her body on Wednesday, Vahdani indicated.

Erliene L. Kelley

Erliene L. Kelley’s granddaughter, Briana Navarro, took to X to alert her followers that their home in Altadena was under imminent threat from the wildfire.

Confirming the details to the YSL News Network, Navarro later learned that the house had been lost and continued to hope she could locate her grandmother.

“I last spoke to her at 1:30 a.m. She texted my dad at 3 a.m. saying they were evacuating her, but that was the last communication,” Navarro recounted.

However, the evacuation never took place. “When my dad arrived at my grandma’s home, she was in her room, dressed in white pajamas, sitting in the dark with a flashlight illuminating her face,” Navarro wrote. “He said she looked at peace, like an angel, with the light creating a halo.”

Later at 8:50 p.m., Navarro sadly announced her grandmother’s passing. On a GoFundMe page, she shared images of her family and grandmother amidst the ruins of their home, stating, “We have lost everything due to the fire and are truly devastated.”

Victor Shaw

Victor Shaw lost his life as the Eaton Fire ravaged his Altadena neighborhood. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed on Sunday that he died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

Family members shared with KTLA-TV that Shaw had lived in the family home for 55 years.

His relatives discovered his body lying on the roadside next to the house, still clutching a garden hose. KTLA reported that Shaw lived with his younger sister, who attempted to persuade him to evacuate as the evacuation orders were issued.

At 66, Shaw faced several health issues that hindered his mobility, according to his sister’s account to ABC News.

Rodney Nickerson

Rodney Nickerson had managed to remain In the home he purchased in 1968, he weathered numerous fires and wished to endure this one too, as shared by his daughter with KTLA-TV.

However, his residence was located in the same Altadena neighborhood as Shaw’s and Kelley’s, and tragically, he too perished in the fire, as reported by family members to The New York Times. Nickerson, an 82-year-old former aerospace engineer at Lockheed Martin, remained active as a dean in his church.

His family was well-regarded in the community, according to his son. His grandfather established an insurance company called Golden State Mutual Life, and a housing project in the Watts area of Los Angeles named Nickerson Gardens honors the family patriarch, as noted by the Times.

Anthony Mitchell and Justin Mitchell

In a call early Wednesday, Anthony Mitchell informed his daughter, Hajiime White, that the fire was affecting his yard, The Washington Post reported. He was preparing to evacuate alongside his son, Justin, who was bedridden due to cerebral palsy and communicated through a computer.

Sadly, they did not escape.

White shared on Facebook, “My daddy and baby brother is Gonneee!!”

Cousin Rita Cook recounted to CBS News that the family is still grappling with their tragic loss. “Anthony was a great individual—both as a businessman and a family man,” she noted, adding that he was “a precious gem.”

Randall Miod

Randall Miod, at 55, lost his life while defending the Malibu beach house he had cherished for years, according to his mother, Carol Smith, who spoke to CNN. Detectives reported they discovered remains at his home along the Pacific Coast Highway.

“He had survived many of these fires without a scratch, and I believe he thought he could do it once more,” Smith said. “Now, as I reflect on the countless memories tied to that house, it’s clear why he was reluctant to leave.”

A friend, Corina Cline, mentioned to The Washington Post that Miod often affectionately referred to his residence as the “Crab Shack,” a nod to his nickname, Crawdaddy.

Family and friends commemorating Miod on social media remembered him as a passionate surfer, someone who loved people, and always the center of attention.

Evelyn McClendon

Zaire Calvin experienced the heartbreaking loss of his sister, Evelyn McClendon, due to the Eaton Fire in Altadena, as he recounted to 60 Minutes. He became separated from her while aiding his baby and mother to safety.

Calvin indicated that she resided in a nearby home. Upon returning after the storm, he found her vehicle still parked in the driveway.

Calvin shared with CNN that he and his cousin began excavating in the debris around McClendon’s house and eventually discovered her remains.

Rory Sykes

A former child actor from Australia, Rory Callum Sykes, who was born blind and had cerebral palsy, tragically lost his life in the Palisades Fire, as conveyed by his mother.

Rory, aged 32, died in his Malibu cottage while his mother, Shelley, attempted to rescue him, as she stated on social media and in a news interview. He had difficulties walking, she added.

During the chaos of the fires, she told the Australian outlet 10 News First that her attempts to dial 911 were unsuccessful. As she tried to extinguish embers on the roof using a hose, the water supply ran out, she conveyed in a social media post on Thursday.

With a broken arm, she noted that she was unable to lift or move him.

“He told me, ‘Mom, leave me,’” Shelley Sykes recounted through tears during the interview. “No mother could ever abandon their child.”

She drove to the local fire station seeking assistance, but the firefighters were also without water. Later, she discovered that her son’s cottage had been completely destroyed. Their 17-acre estate was also consumed by flames, as reported by Shelley Sykes.

Although the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has yet to officially list Rory Sykes’ death, she stated he succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Born in Great Britain and raised in Australia, Rory was a remarkable individual. His mother, Shelley Sykes, is an actress who documented her son’s challenges and triumphs in a book.

Charles Mortimer

Charles Mortimer, aged 84, was confirmed as a victim of the Palisades Fire by The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner on Sunday. Mortimer passed away in the hospital due to an acute myocardial infarction caused by smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

Meredith, his niece, remembered him fondly as a world traveler and a devoted Chicago Cubs fan in a statement to ABC News.

“He will be remembered as a person with a sharp wit, an extraordinary mind, and a deep love for his family,” she said. “His warm smile and endless humor will be sorely missed by friends and family around the globe.”

Dalyce Curry, cherished matriarch and retired actress

“God is love, and Momma Dee was that too,” wrote Dalyce Curry’s granddaughter, Lorée Beamer-Wilkinson, on Facebook.

At 95 years old, Curry was a retired actress known for her appearances in films such as “The Ten Commandments,” “Lady Sings the Blues,” and “The Blues Brothers.” Despite her age, her granddaughter mentioned that she remained active, as reported by ABC7-TV in Los Angeles.

“We are heartbroken, and it’s hard to grasp how her life ended this way,” Beamer-Wilkinson shared.

“Momma D was an exceptional woman who embraced my children and me into her life with warmth,” Beamer-Wilkinson continued. “She exuded positivity, demonstrated grace, and epitomized strength, resilience, and kindness. Her journey was one of overcoming hurdles and spreading love everywhere she went.”

(This story was updated because an earlier version contained inaccuracies.)

Contributing: Thao Nguyen and Eduardo Cuevas, YSL News; Reuters; Janet Wilson, The Desert Sun