California wildfires: Five dead, 1500 properties destroyed, Sunset Boulevard ablaze

More than 1500 homes and businesses have been destroyed in the apocalyptic wildfires in LA, with authorities warning the risk is not over yet.

Five people have died and at least 1500 homes and businesses have been destroyed in apocalyptic wildfires that rapidly engulfed the Los Angeles area in one of the most destructive firestorms in living memory.

Five fires are still burning and one has now broken out on the famed Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Hills, near Runyon Canyon, home to the famous Hollywood sign.

The latest fire sparked an evacuation order for the world’s entertainment capital.

Flames from the Palisades fire burn a building on Sunset Boulevard. Picture: Getty Images

More than 150,000 people are under evacuation orders as roaring infernos, fuelled by winds of up to 160km/h, continue to burn.

The Palisades fire that has ripped through the area between Malibu and Santa Monica, home to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, destroying homes, business and landmarks, has been declared the worst fire in LA’s history.

SEE THE LATEST LIVE COVERAGE ON THE LA FIRES HERE. 

This combination of satellite images shows a before and after view of Altadena, California during the Eaton fire.

A separate blaze, the fast-moving Eaton fire, has decimated homes across Altadena.

Authorities fear the death toll may climb.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said five people were known to have perished, with more deaths feared.

“Remember, this is still a very fluid situation, there’s zero containment on this fire. I’m really praying we don’t find more, but I don’t think that’s going to be the case,” he said.

All five deaths occurred in and around Altadena and Pasadena, where the Eaton blaze left little time for residents to flee.

A colour infrared view of burning homes near Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena, California. Picture: AFP

As devastated locals returned to their homes, with active fires still blazing in several regions, the extent of the destruction became apparent in emerging eerie footage of charred buildings and mansions.

The biggest inferno devastated the affluent Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, with the properties of celebrities including Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, James Woods and Anna Faris decimated.

Star couple Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, also lost their homes in the Palisades inferno.

In horrific scenes of panic, residents were forced to abandon their cars in a rush to avoid the wildfires, prompting firefighters to use a bulldozer to clear vehicles from the roads.

A person uses a garden hose as a blaze engulfs a house in Altadena, California. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

A firefighter stands on top of a fire truck to battle the Palisades fire, which has destroyed the celebrity area. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

A mansion with a sweeping staircase is destroyed in the Palisades. Picture: AP

Los Angeles County emergency management director Kevin McGowan called the simultaneous wildfires engulfing the city “a historical natural disaster”.

Amid fury over empty fire hydrants hindering the fight in some areas, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was subjected to fierce criticism as she raced home from Ghana, where she had been part of a delegation for the inauguration of the country’s new president.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sent a message of “support” to US President Joe Biden, offering to help “our American friends”.“Our American friends, we are always available to help our American friends,” Mr Albanese said.

“It is tragic that there has already been a significant loss of life in the United States on the West Coast, and all Australians express our support and myself as Prime Minister sent a message to the President of the US expressing our support in what is a difficult time.”

See recap below.

Originally published as California wildfires: Five dead, 1500 properties destroyed, Sunset Boulevard ablaze