LA woman searches for missing aunt amid devastating Southern Californian wildfires as death toll rises

A Los Angeles woman has choked back tears as she spoke of her desperate attempts to find her missing 87-year-old aunt, while beginning to clean up the rubble of her home after it was destroyed by wildfires raging across Southern California.

At least five people have been killed, thousands of structures have been razed and nearly 180,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes, officials said.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sunrise reporter Isabelle Mullens on the ground as LA fires rage.

The death toll is likely to rise, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna told a press conference on Thursday morning (local time).

Sunrise reporter Isabelle Mullen met the local woman in Altadena on Friday morning (AEDT), one of the worst hit areas, as residents returned home after the fire had burned through the neighbourhood.

“I’m feeling blessed — I have my life,” the woman told her.

“My aunt is missing and we’re not sure where she is. The padlock is on her gate but there is no house — so we have to look through the rubble to see if she’s there.”

Mullens also met another returning local in tears, although the man’s home was the only one that didn’t burn down.

“I shouldn’t be crying because my entire block is burnt down. But God saved my house. It’s not to say that anyone else is undeserving. But just why? Why are all my neighbours (going through this),” he said.

“In the middle of two burnt-down blocks. There’s only one house standing and that’s mine.”

Massive wildfires are still menacing Los Angeles from the east and west, burning uncontained two days after they ignited, although firefighters have managed to beat back another blaze scorching the Hollywood Hills.

The Palisades fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s western flank and the Eaton fire in the east near Pasadena are already the most destructive in Los Angeles history, burning more than 11,300 ha so far. and turning entire neighbourhoods to ash.

Despite still being fierce, winds have slowed slightly since the 160km/h gusts earlier in the week, permitting crucial aerial support for crews on the ground.

“We have a much better posture than we did on Tuesday and Wednesday,” Marrone said.

Officials warned that wind gusts of up to 100km/h were forecast to persist throughout the day, and Los Angeles City Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said residents should be prepared to leave if ordered.

“It is safe to say that the Palisades fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles,” Crowley said.

Firefighters, assisted by helicopters dropping retardants and water, managed to make gains overnight in battling the Sunset Fire, which had forced mandatory evacuations in Hollywood and Hollywood Hills.

Famous show business locations such as the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame were also evacuated late on Wednesday.

It was one of at least five separate wildfires burning in Los Angeles County on Thursday morning as powerful winds spread flames across parched ground that had been without rain for months.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass described it as a “perfect storm” of dangerous conditions.

The homes of movie stars and celebrities, including Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton and John Goodman, were among those consumed by flames, which tore through some of the world’s most lavish real estate.

Firefighters from six other US states were being rushed to California while an additional 250 engine companies with 1000 personnel were being moved from northern California to southern California, Los Angeles County Fire chief Anthony Marrone told a press conference.

- With AAP