Numerous horrifying videos have shown the destruction caused by the massive wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area.
Newsweek has contacted the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and the Los Angeles Fire Department by email for comment.
The Context
Firefighters are battling to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area, fueled by dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds, that have ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.
There are five active blazes, including the Palisades fire, which devastated much of the coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades and is now the the most destructive fire in LA's history.
The Videos
One video captured two men and their dog trapped inside a home in the Pacific Palisades with flames visible around the building through its windows.
Kevin Dalton, who posted the video on X, said he was "told the dog and both his humans were able to safely evacuate the property."
Warning: This video contains profanities.
Another video showed a multistory home in Studio City collapse as flames engulfed the structure.
Tanner Charles shared the moment he and his friend abandoned his friend's house north of Rustic Canyon as flames from the Palisades fire closed in on the property.
Warning: This video contains profanities.
Drone footage captured by Matthew Heller and posted on X by NBC Los Angeles' Jacob Wheeler shows the devastation caused the Palisades fire.
SHOCKING: New drone footage shows the complete devastation and destruction from the Pacific Palisades Fire as @NBCLA reports at least one killed from the blaze
Video: Matthew Heller pic.twitter.com/y3xYJSkvmS
The California Fires in Numbers
In total, the fires have burned through more than 36,000 acres.
The Palisades fire, the largest of the blazes, has destroyed at least 5,300 structures. The Eaton fire near Pasadena has burned more than 5,000 structures.
At least 10 people have died, but authorities expect the death toll to increase.
At least 180,000 people were under evacuation orders.
The government has not released details on the cost of the damage from the fires, but AccuWeather estimated on Thursday that the total damage and economic loss could be between $135 billion and $150 billion.
Are the California Fires Under Control?
Firefighters are making gains at slowing the spread of the fires, but containment remained far out of reach on Friday.
The Palisades fire has burned 20,438 aces since Tuesday and is just 6 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
The Eaton fire has burned 13,690 acres and is not contained at all.
The Kenneth fire, which began near the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas on Thursday, has burned about 960 acres and is about 35 percent contained.
The Hurst fire in Sylmar has burned about 771 acres and is 37 percent contained.
The Lidia fire, which broke out in the Angeles National Forest near Acton on Wednesday, has burned almost 400 acres and is about 75 percent contained.
How Did The California Fires Start?
No cause has yet been identified for the largest fires.
However, police believe the Kenneth fire, which started late Thursday afternoon in the San Fernando Valley, was intentionally set and one person has been taken into custody.
What People Are Saying
President Joe Biden said on X on Thursday: "The federal government will cover 100% of the cost of measures to protect lives and property in Southern California for six months.
"I've told the Governor and officials to spare no expense and do whatever they need to contain the fires and protect families."
Adriana Silva, a Los Angeles resident, told Newsweek: "I have lived in California all my life and never seen that size of fire erupt so quickly in the direction of the Palisades."
What's Next?
Firefighters are continuing to fight the wildfires.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said on X that "local, state, out-of-state mutual aid, and federal partners are hard at work battling the Los Angeles wildfires."
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