Powerful winds threaten to spread deadly Los Angeles wildfires

At least 16 people have been killed, 150,000 displaced and more than 12,000 structures destroyed, state officials say

An emergency vehicle drives through a neighbourhood in Altadena, California, devastated by the Eaton Fire. AP

US officials warned “dangerous and strong” winds were set to push deadly wildfires further through residential areas in Los Angeles on Sunday as firefighters struggled to make progress against the flames.

Six blazes that have ripped across the second-largest US city since Tuesday have so far killed at least 16 people, displaced 150,000 and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, according to state officials.

Despite massive efforts, including aerial water-bombing, the Palisades Fire continued to grow, spreading east towards the priceless collections of the Getty Centre art museum and north to the densely populated San Fernando Valley.

“The winds are potentially getting dangerous and strong again,” Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told CNN. “The biggest thing that people need to know is that this is still dangerous.”

The flames have reduced whole neighbourhoods to smouldering ruins, destroying the homes of celebrities and ordinary citizens.

President-elect Donald Trump criticised California officials for their handling of the crisis.

“The fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place … they just can't put out the fires. What's wrong with them?” Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

Amid looting incidents and an enforced night-time curfew, police and the National Guard established checkpoints to restrict access to disaster-stricken areas. Two people were arrested near Vice President Kamala Harris's residence in Brentwood for curfew breaches after reports of a burglary.

The National Weather Service has warned that while the Santa Ana winds, which have intensified the fires, showed some respite over the weekend, they are expected to strengthen early next week with gusts that could reach 110kph. Local officials anticipate the strongest wind on Tuesday.

“These winds, combined with dry air and dry vegetation, will keep the fire weather threat in the area,” the National Weather Service said. Conditions were expected to moderate by Thursday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he expected the death toll to rise.

“I've got search and rescue teams out. We've got cadaver dogs out and there's likely to be a lot more,” he told NBC.

Mr Newsom said the fires could represent the worst natural disaster in US history in terms of associated costs.

Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss to be between $135 billion and $150 billion, indicating a surge in homeowners' insurance costs.