Los Angeles | Actor and producer Steve Guttenberg awoke on Thursday morning (Friday AEDT) to a grim reality: the treacherous wildfire that tore through the Pacific Palisades had left his once-lush neighbourhood charred and unrecognisable.

With homes smouldering, streets emptied and friends scattered by evacuation orders, Guttenberg counted himself among the fortunate. His property was miraculously spared. But he still struggled to reconcile his relief with the haunting sight of his ravaged, once lavish community.

AP