Firefighters are still unable to contain multiple blazes, as forecasters warn winds could stoke an already "extremely dangerous" situation.

By Jorge Garcia and Rollo Ross LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Two massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west devoured nearly 10,000 homes and other structures, burning into a third night on Thursday even as the fierce winds eased and gave firefighters a welcome but temporary respite.

Firefighters battled early Thursday to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes.

Some residents in the Altadena neighbourhood have been returning to find their homes completely destroyed in the wildfires which ravaged the Los Angeles area this week.

Strong Santa Ana winds are fueling multiple wildfires across Southern California, forcing thousands of residents to flee from their homes.

Many insurers paused coverage in parts of California or raised premiums sharply after the 2017 and 2018 wildfires led to huge losses for the industry.

Hundreds of thousands are without power in California as the powerful Santa Ana winds continue to cause the spread of multiple wildfires. There are over 249,159 people without power in California, according to the USA TODAY power outage tracker.

The multiple wildfires raging in California are being described by eyewitnesses as "apocalyptic." While the cost in human suffering is immeasurable, it may take weeks or longer for the true economic toll to be realized.