The photo of this Spanish cottage was taken by its owner, actress Denise Crosby. Photo: Denise Crosby/Twitter (X)
At least five people are dead and many more injured as fires broke out across southern California amid historically dry and windy conditions.
US media are reporting that tens of thousands of people were evacuated as more than 6070 hectares burned in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
The fire has destroyed at least 300 structures with over 13,300 others at risk, reports state.
Bulldozers had to be called in to clear cars that were abandoned on the road along Palisades Drive.
US agencies report that the Eaton Fire, which broke out miles away from the Palisades Fire, in Altadena, has grown to more than 4046 hectares with zero containment.
Another blaze, the Hurst Fire, erupted and spread northeast of San Fernando, burning at least 283 hectares.
In the Sepulveda Basin, the Woodley Fire burned 12 hectares and the Lidia Fire burned 20 hectares in Acton with no containment.
During a briefing with US President Joe Biden, Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley spoke of how unprecedented the fires were.
“We knew there was a potential for significant threat to our constituents due to the weather event. High-high-high winds. I’ve never seen the winds in my 25-year career,” he said.
LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell echoed that comment, ABC News said.
“What we saw here in the last 24 hours is unprecedented. I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.
LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told Biden they are getting help from Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. They also asked for 250 more fire engines and 1000 personnel to help, he said.
Meanwhile, ABC News (US) reported that Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has warned those wanting to take “criminal advantage” of the bushfires.
“If you think for a moment that you can take advantage of this right now or over the next weeks, months or years, you are wrong,” he told a LA affiliate station.
Two people have reportedly already been arrested.
More than 1.5 million customers are without power across the state, including over 956,000 in Los Angeles County, ABC says.
