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California wildfires reach Bel Air mansions

Californian wildfires have engulfed homes in the upmarket Los Angeles neighbourhood of Bel Air, with firefighters warning they cannot contain the spread.

Homes in the area popular with celebrities were evacuated as flames swept down the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Multimillion-dollar mansions were set ablaze as more than 1,000 firefighters attempted in vain to contain an increasing number of fires igniting across southern California.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the blazes had spread across 150 acres with "zero containment" by 10am (6pm GMT).

Police were forced to shut down nine miles of the Interstate 405 freeway, one of the busiest in the US, early on Wednesday morning.

Motorists described seeing the mountainside near Bel Air glowing and an orange fireball burning its way through the drought-ridden terrain.

The blaze has been dubbed the Skirball fire as it is right next to the Skirball Cultural Center, as well as the acclaimed Getty Center museum.

:: Westworld and S.W.A.T. halt production amid California wildfires

Image:The Thomas fire alone has destroyed 65,000 acres of land in Ventura County

Several other fires are raging across southern California, with the Skirball the latest to ignite due to 50mph wind gusts – which are set to increase to 70mph on Thursday.

The strong winds have prevented planes and helicopters operating as it is too dangerous to fly.

The largest blaze is the Thomas fire in Ventura County, just north of LA, which has devastated 65,000 acres and forced 27,000 people to flee after igniting on Monday evening.

Mark Lorenzen, Ventura County fire chief, said: "The prospects for containment are not good.

"Really, Mother Nature's going to decide when we have the ability to put it out."

Hundreds of homes have been destroyed and a further 12,000 buildings and structures are threatened by Thomas alone, officials said.

Video:Thousands forced to flee California wildfires

More than 1,000 firefighters are trying to battle the blaze but cannot enter the area "due to the intensity of the fire", county officials said.

The Creek fire, north of downtown LA, had destroyed 11,000 acres by Tuesday night, while the Rye fire devastated 7,000 acres by Monday morning.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in the area on Tuesday.

He said: "This fire is very dangerous and spreading rapidly.

"It's critical residents stay ready and evacuate immediately if told to do so."

Firefighters have said they are unable to contain most of the fires
Image:Firefighters say they have been unable to contain most of the fires
Firefighters battled to put out a house on fire in the San Fernando valley north of Los Angeles
Image:Blazes have also hit the San Fernando valley north of Los Angeles

US President Donald Trump tweeted his "thoughts and prayers" to California.

He said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of California's wildfires,

"I encourage everyone to heed the advice and orders of local and state officials.

"THANK YOU to all First Responders for your incredible work!"

In October, wildfires raged through California's wine country, destroying 27 wineries in the famous wine producing counties of Sonoma and Napa.

More from California

A total of 44 people were killed, some 106,000 people were evacuated and 110,720 acres were devastated by the fires.

Insurance claims for the October fires have reached more than $9 billion (£6.7bn), the state's top insurance regulator said.

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