From the air, the extent of the devastation wrought by the Palisades Fire on these two neighbourhoods is starting to come into focus: whole streets in ruins, the remains of once-fabulous houses now nothing but ash and memories.

Wildfires menacing Los Angeles have killed at least 10 people and devoured nearly 10,000 structures, with five fires burning into a third night, as dry desert winds fanning the flames again gathered strength.

Major wildfires around Los Angeles raged for a fourth straight day on Friday, as firefighters struggled to put out blazes in some areas while in others evacuees returned to their homes, only to find them smoldering in ash.