More than 100,000 people have been told to flee their homes in the face of flames and violent winds that have gusted up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour.
In Altadena, behind the mountains north of Los Angeles, firefighters have been overwhelmed by the scale of a blaze that has already destroyed around 500 buildings, including many homes.
On Wednesday, the streets were filled with ash, with buildings everywhere in flames.
AFP met a shopkeeper in his sixties who was crying in front of the ruins of his liquor store.
“This was my whole life,” he sobbed.
A dazed Jesus Hernandez said he did not know if his parents would be compensated for their $1.3 million house.
“Hopefully the insurance can pay for most of it, if not, then we’re going to have to stay with friends or someone,” he said.
– Water cut –
Fires have sprouted all over the Los Angeles area in little more than 24 hours, with the latest breaking out in the Hollywood Hills, mere yards (meters) from storied Hollywood Boulevard.
Vicious winds have flung embers up to 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), sparking new spot fires faster than firefighters can quell them.
The Santa Ana winds that are currently blowing are a classic part of Californian autumns and winters.
But this week, they have reached an intensity not seen since 2011, according to meteorologists.
That has combined with tinder dry countryside to create the perfect fire storm — and a nightmare for firefighters who have also struggled with water supplies.
In the Pacific Palisades fire, hydrants stopped working after massive storage tanks ran dry.
David Stewart said he was not prepared to just surrender his neighborhood to the flames.
“The county turned off our water supply so we’re out there with shovels throwing dirt on fires,” he told AFP.
“We saved I think three neighbors’ houses so far but the fires are still moving towards our house.”
