LA wildfires live updates: More evacuations, death toll rises as blame game erupts

More evacuations are under way after the death toll of the horrific Los Angeles fires has risen, as a bitter blame game erupts between local officials. Follow live updates.

A new evacuation order in Los Angeles has been issued in the Palisades fire, which extends to the Encino Reservoir, Brentwood and the foothills of the San Fernando Valley.

The expansion of the order borders one of LA’s busiest freeways as well as the Getty Center, a cultural institution in the city.

The LA Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the death toll has risen to 11 on Friday (local time) and said the true measure of the devastating blazes wouldn’t be known until investigators are given the all-clear to return to the neighbourhoods worst impacted.

That news came as a blame game erupted between city and state officials over the preparedness and responsed to the catastrophic event.

Winds were expected to drop around Los Angeles on Saturday AEDT, bolstering a huge firefighting effort at the five major blazes wreaking havoc around America’s second biggest city.

The latest on the six wildfires burning is:

*Palisades fire: 21,317 acres, 8 per cent contained

*Eaton fire: 14,117 acres, 3 per cent contained

*Kenneth fire: 1,052 acres, 50 per cent contained

*Hurst fire: 771 acres, 70 per cent contained

*Lidia fire: 395 acres, 98 per cent contained

*Archer fire: 19 acres, 0 per cent contained

Water is dropped by helicopter on the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles. Picture: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

At least 12,000 buildings have been destroyed, and 180,000 people evacuated as infernos ripped through neighbourhoods, razing thousands of homes in one of the worst disasters ever to hit California, with one estimate suggesting the bill could hit A$245 billion.

California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed the National Guard to bolster law enforcement efforts as looters raided devastated properties with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger declaring offenders would face the full force of the law.

“I promise you, you will be held accountable,” she said. “Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis.”

Meanwhile, a nighttime curfew has been imposed in disaster areas hit by devastating fires that have ruined large parts of Los Angeles, county sheriff Robert Luna said on Friday local time.

“You cannot be in these affected areas. If you are, you are subject to arrest,” he told a press conference. “We’re doing it to protect the structures, the houses that people have left because we ordered them to leave.”

The rule, which will be in effect between 6 pm and 6 am in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fire areas, comes as fears of looting grow, with some residents organising street patrols and keeping armed watch over their own houses.

“We’re not doing this to inconvenience anybody,” said Sheriff Luna.

“This curfew will be strictly enforced and is being taken to enhance public safety, protect property and prevent any burglaries or looting in the area that the residents have evacuated.”

Luna said anyone who breaks the curfew could be jailed.

“I’ve given direction that if somebody is caught doing this, they are not going to get cited and released. They’re going to get booked. We are not screwing around with this.”

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