LA fires: Raging LA fires tipped to grow amid ‘devil’ winds threat

Firefighters are battling to contain wildfires that have so far killed 16 people, displaced almost 200,000 and destroyed thousands of properties. Follow the live updates.

The mega wildfire raging in Los Angeles has killed 16 people and destroyed more than 12,000 homes and other structures, with no signs of relief in sight.

Authorities issued mass evacuation notices to residents in Brentwood and Mandeville Canyon as a fire tornado, known as a firenado, tore through celebrity strongholds and annihilated the homes of the rich and famous.

Firefighters launched an aerial assault in a bid to contain the devastating blaze and protect homes in Brentwood and Encino, with waterbombing helicopters and planes dropping water and fire retardant.

Firefighters are battling on into the night in a bid to get on top of massive wildfires around Los Angeles as winds ramp up, pushing the blazes towards previously untouched neighbourhoods.

A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighbourhood and Encino, California. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP

Officials have warned that the infamous Santa Ana gusts – also known as the “devil winds” or “red winds” – are likely to pick up in the coming days, further fuelling fires.

Despite heroic efforts, including precision sorties from aerial crews, the Palisades fire continues to grow, pushing east towards the priceless collections of the Getty Centre Art Museum and north to the densely populated San Fernando Valley, which has a population of 1.8 million.

A brief lull in the wind was rapidly giving way to gusts that forecasters warned would feed the blazes for days to come.

“Critical fire-weather conditions will unfortunately ramp up again today for southern California and last through at least early next week,” the National Weather Service said.

“This may lead to the spread of ongoing fires as well as the development of new ones.”

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Morrone said power would likely be shut off over the coming days as strong winds risked knocking over power lines and starting more fires.

“These winds combined with low humidity and low fuel moisture will keep the fire threat in Los Angeles County high,” he said.

“Please understand that the inevitable public safety power shut-offs that will be implemented prior to this life-threatening Santa Ana wind event are crucial to preventing new fire starts and that they help save lives.”

The Los Angeles County is enforcing a 6am to 6pm curfew. Twenty-two people have been arrested, including 19 in the Eaton fire and three in the Palisades.

Health authorities warned Los Angeles residents, especially the elderly, young and sick, to stay indoors as much as possible as wildfire smoke blanketed the city.

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