This is CNN breaking news.

Welcome to the lead. I'm Casey Hunt in for Jake Tapper.

We are following two major breaking stories.

In the Middle East, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages

during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire deal.

According to Israeli officials, we're going to have more on that shortly.

But first,

the Los Angeles wildfires. If you live in the Los Angeles area, make your evacuation plan now.

That is the message today from officials who warn that increasing extreme winds are raising

the danger of spreading wildfires. Fires already blamed for killing 24 people and charring an area larger than Paris, France.

We talk about the pets, we talk about the medications, put your plan together, be ready,

and you do not have to wait. You do not have to wait for the order.

Wins by the major wildfires already strengthening,

and they're going to continue to increase through Wednesday,

and they could get strong enough to once again prevent efforts to fight these fires by air,

and that threatens to undo some of the progress that's been made in containing them.

The Palisades fire is about 23,000 acres at 14% containment,

and the Eaton fire is 14,000 acres and at least one third contained.

But the strongest winds with gusts up to 70 miles an hour are forecast to hit areas west of those fires,

leading city officials to brace for the possibility

of another fire breaking out.

Let's get straight to CNN's Anderson Cooper, who is with members of a Cal Fire crew as they

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