At least 5 people have died as wildfires ravaged parts of Los Angeles

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More than 100,000 residents in southern California were ordered to evacuate and five people were confirmed dead as wildfires raged out of control in the Los Angeles area for a second day.

Flames spread through the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, forcing residents to evacuate the densely populated hillside neighborhood overlooking attractions including the Hollywood Bowl and the Walk of Fame.

The Hollywood fire is putting extra pressure on firefighters who are trying to contain many flames throughout the city and its pastures since Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, one of the most unique places in the US.

Insurers are looking at what is expected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in California history.

Strong winds fanned the flames in at least four separate areas on an area of ​​more than 25,000 hectares, sending thick smoke and ash into the city. Wind gusts ranged from 50 to 80 kilometers per hour across the region, the National Weather Service said, hampering firefighting efforts.

Air quality in the greater Los Angeles area was deemed “unhealthy”, with areas of the city far from the fires smelling heavily of smoke. At a news conference on Wednesday, authorities admitted they were struggling to find what was happening so quickly.

Little is known about how the fires started, but the windy conditions that allowed them to spread are expected to continue. Low humidity and dry conditions are expected to continue in the Los Angeles and Ventura counties through at least Friday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, which allowed for the deployment of the National Guard. President Joe Biden on Wednesday released federal funds to pay for temporary housing, home repairs and loans to cover the loss of uninsured property. The city of Los Angeles said schools will be closed Thursday.

The destruction began on Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, home to high-profile Hollywood stars including singer Billy Crystal and Paris Hilton, whose homes were among more than 1,000 buildings destroyed.

The fire quickly moved north to Malibu and threatened buildings in Santa Monica to the south, as the coals carried by the heavy vehicles covered all the streets. That fire has spread to more than 15,800 hectares.

Areas north and east of Los Angeles have been engulfed in flames, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Altadena and Pasadena.

Efforts to contain the fire on Wednesday were hampered because aircraft called super scoopers, which collect water from the sea, were stopped by high winds. However in the evening, helicopters were dropping water on the Hollywood fire.

Residents of Pacific Palisades, some of whom fled on foot Tuesday, were calling friends and family to find out whose homes were still standing. Many who fled to nearby Santa Monica were told they had to leave again as the flames followed.

“This is a sad time in our history here in Los Angeles,” said Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. “It is important that we are patient, united and stay focused on saving lives.”

The fires have halted work in Hollywood and forced Oscar previews and celebrations to be postponed. Warner Bros. shut down production at its Burbank facility because of the fire, and Paramount postponed the premiere of its new film, A better person. Universal has canceled a party on Friday that was hosted by Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Studios & Entertainment.

Forecasts of financial destruction have already begun, with AccuWeather estimating the total damage and economic loss could be $57bn.

In the Palisades area, home values ​​are about 3.5mn, which means billions of dollars in claims can be filed in that area.