Firefighters racing against the arrival of more desert winds made some progress on Sunday (Monday AEDT) against the two biggest fires raging in Los Angeles, which have killed at least 16 people and destroyed entire neighbourhoods from the inland hills to the Pacific Coast.

At least 16 other people have been reported missing in the area of the two largest fires, Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County said at a news conference, adding that he expected the number would “absolutely” rise.