LA fires map shows scale of devastating infernos near Hollywood
The fires ravaging Los Angeles remain uncontrolled and more than 92,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.
The worst wildfires in Los Angeles' history have killed at least 24 people and destroyed more than 12,000 homes, buildings and other structures, as firefighters battle to stop them from spreading further.
Firefighters were tackling four blazes on Tuesday amid a red flag weather warning for 70mph Santa Ana winds that could worsen the situation.
More than 92,000 people are under evacuation orders and more deaths are expected, with 23 people still missing. Winds of 72mph were recorded over Magic Mountain Truck Trail, east of Santa Clarita.
"This setup is about as bad as it gets," Los Angeles City fire chief Kristin Crowley said on Tuesday. "We are not in the clear."
What areas have been affected?
Four fires - two large and two smaller - were raging in the area surrounding Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The largest fire in LA, the Palisades fire, has burned through more than 23,000 acres and is still only 14% contained, The second largest, Eaton, has burned through more than 14,000 acres and is 33% contained - more than 8,500 firefighters are tackling those two blazes.
Elsewhere, the Hurst fire has devastated 799 acres but is now 97% contained, while another smaller blaze, a new brush fire that broke out in Ventura County and is known as the Auto fire, has consumed 56 acres so far.
The Sunset fire, which has been contained by firefighters, forced mandatory evacuations in Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills last Wednesday evening. No buildings were lost in the area.
The Kenneth Fire broke out north of the Palisades fire on Thursday afternoon, threatening homes near Calabasas and Hidden Hills, but was also later contained.
The US National Weather Service has issued a “particularly dangerous situation” warning forecast, predicting severe fire conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Officials said at least 12,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Buildings destroyed included churches, a synagogue, schools and libraries, along with shops, bars, restaurants and banks.
The devastating wildfires have also destroyed businesses, land and homes owned by Hollywood A-listers like Paris Hilton, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. Other celebrities impacted include Mark Hamill, Sir Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman and Billy Crystal, who all fled their homes.
When did the fires start?
The Palisades fire ignited at around 10.30am on Tuesday 7 January near North Piedra Morada Drive in the exclusive Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of LA.
Fuelled by extreme Santa Ana winds, which reached hurricane speeds of up to 80mph, the fire rapidly escalated from a small blaze to a massive fire that engulfed over 200 acres within just a few minutes. The fires have been fuelled by extremely dry conditions, with LA recording no rain in months.
Why has it spread so much?
The fire has spread rapidly due to a combination of natural and climate-influenced factors. Strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts up to 80 mph, have been a primary catalyst, rapidly fanning the flames across dry vegetation.
These winds, known for their dry, warm conditions, are exacerbated by climate change, which has led to longer, more intense dry seasons in California.
On top of this, unusually strong winds are blowing off the back of a strangely shaped storm system over the lower Colorado River Valley and being amplified by what scientists call a ‘mountain wave’ event. This occurs when there are certain temperatures above a mountain range and particular winds passing over those mountains.
The region has also experienced an exceptionally dry start to this winter, following a hot summer, which left vegetation extremely dry. This arid landscape of shrubs, palms, grasses and hardwoods is essentially acting as fuel for the fire.
California's average temperature has warmed by roughly 1C since 1980, while the number of days with dry vegetation has doubled, according to fire management expert Lindon Pronto at the European Forest Institute.
He explained: “Eventually you have a compounding effect where you see much more extreme fire behaviour at different times of the year… whether it's in December or January.”
What caused the fires?
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was sued on Monday over claims it failed to properly manage water supplies critical to fighting the deadly Palisades Fire.
Residents who sued alleged the department should have maintained water in a nearby reservoir, which was dry at the time the fire first erupted last Tuesday.
California Governor Newsom and other top Democrats in the state have come under criticism for their handling of the fires.
President-elect Donald Trump planned to visit the disaster zone after he is inaugurated next week, it was reported.
On Sunday, Newsom criticised Trump's false claim the governor had blocked a measure that would have allowed water to flow from northern California to southern California.
Investigators are still working to find out what caused the wildfires, with lighting ruled out as there was no stormy weather in LA last week. Experts will examine potential causes such as arson, broken utility lines or old embers.
