As wildfires continued to rage uncontrollably throughout several areas of Los Angeles, the high winds and extremely dry conditions was increasing its progress across thousands of acres of land.

Firefighters are so far unable to contain several of them, with one conserved fire official saying that they were still rapidly expanding. In the Pacific Palisades area where many celebrities live, the largest blaze there remains the most destructive fire in the history of that part of the United States - with more than 5,300 buildings destroyed.

A rapidly changing situation, among the buildings destroyed include many of the exclusive properties that line the Malibu waterfront. Five fires were still burning in the Los Angeles area, which included the Palisades, where the largest active fire is burning between Santa Monica and Malibu, where almost 20,000 acres and more than 5,300 structures were destroyed and at least 30,000 people were evacuated.

In Eaton the second largest fire is burning north of Pasadena, covering at least 13,690 acres, with potentially more than 4,000 structures damaged or destroyed - five deaths were reported. Other areas affected by wildfire include Hurst to the northeast of the city, Lidia, in the hills north of Los Angeles and Kenneth in the West Hills area, just north of the Palisades.

Three Palisades fire spread, intensifying, in a matter of hours, covering 772 acres and within four hours it had approximately tripled in size. It now covers almost 20,000 acres and thousands of people have been forced to evacuate the area, as more than 1,400 firefighters try to tackle the blaze.

Both the Palisades and Eaton fires can be seen from space, with about 20,000 buildings said to have been damaged or destroyed already in the two biggest fires. It’s suggested that many more could be at risk - depending on how the fires spreads.

The Palisades fire is not the only one to have a devastating effect on neighbourhoods of Los Angeles. With the wildfire damages set to cost a record $135bn, the insurance industry is bracing itself for a major hit, with analysts from some leading firms forecasting insured losses of more than $8bn.

Some experts are saying that climate change is increasing the likelihood of such fires, with US government research linking climate change to severe wildfires in the western United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say: "Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States".

Following a very warm summer and lack of rain in recent months, California, in particularly, is said to be vulnerable.