Multiple wildfires have pushed tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes. Strong winds have exacerbated the emergency, officials say.

Extreme weather conditions in Southern California fueled by ferocious Santa Ana winds have created at least six wildfires, leading to at least five deaths, multiple injuries, 180,000 mandatory evacuations and widespread property destruction.

Ferocious wildfires worsened in the Los Angeles area overnight, tearing through homes and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. Officials warned of devastating losses as the main blaze raced through the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Residents are being told to flee immediately due to an immediate risk to their lives from three major fires across the county.