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FIERCE California wildfires look like the "Gates of Hell" as the relentless blaze continues to destroy homes and race to the outskirts of Los Angeles.

More than 275 wildfires have broken out within the past 24 hours fuelled by the hot, gusty winds and dry combustible land, injuring several people.

The relentless California wildfires are said to look like the 'Gates of Hell'
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The relentless California wildfires are said to look like the 'Gates of Hell'Credit: Reuters

 

Rescue helicopters were seen attempting to put the fire out
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Rescue helicopters were seen attempting to put the fire outCredit: AP:Associated Press
Firemen are working tirelessly to tackle the blaze
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Firemen are working tirelessly to tackle the blazeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Hot, gusty winds and dry combustible land has contributed to the raging inferno
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Hot, gusty winds and dry combustible land has contributed to the raging infernoCredit: AP:Associated Press
Firefighters enter a burned house as the Saddleridge Fire grows to thousands of acres in just a few hours
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Firefighters enter a burned house as the Saddleridge Fire grows to thousands of acres in just a few hoursCredit: AFP or licensors
The fire has scorched some 4,600 acres, and forced mandatory evacuation orders for 12,700 homes
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The fire has scorched some 4,600 acres, and forced mandatory evacuation orders for 12,700 homesCredit: AFP or licensors
Firefighters work to save homes from the Saddleridge Fire in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles
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Firefighters work to save homes from the Saddleridge Fire in the Porter Ranch section of Los AngelesCredit: AFP or licensors

Shocking video footage shows fast-moving flames sweep through California's neighbourhoods during the night.

Strong winds have caused the inferno to move from town to town within hours.

The fire raged out of control along the northern edge of Los Angeles early Friday, forcing thousands of people from their homes as firefighters battled flames from the air and on the ground.

The blaze erupted late Thursday along the northern tier of the San Fernando Valley as powerful Santa Ana winds swept Southern California, fanning several destructive blazes.

RAGING INFERNO

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the fire had grown to more than 6 square miles (15.5 square kilometres) before dawn and an estimated 12,700 homes were under evacuation orders.

Helicopters made repeated water drops as crews on the ground attacked flames in and around homes.

The Fire Department said homes were destroyed but did not have an estimate.

Evacuations were also still in effect in the inland region east of Los Angeles where a fire erupted Thursday and raged through a mobile home park in the Calimesa area of Riverside County.

Seventy-four buildings were destroyed, others were damaged and Riverside County authorities were trying to determine if anyone was missing.

One person who couldn't be immediately located was Don Turner's 89-year-old mother.

The largest blaze so far was in Sandalwood, Calimesa, where 500 acres were torched - aided by 55mph winds.

The area, around 70 miles east of Los Angeles, set alight after the rubbish on a garbage truck caught fire, reported.

The burning trash was dumped onto dry land by the driver where it ignited.

1,500 ACRES ENGULFED

Captain Fernando Herrera of California Fire said the fire could engulf 1,500 acres in total.

He blamed "wind influx" in Santa Ana making the incident worse, "obviously this fire just completely went out of control."

Due to the Santa Ana wind influx, obviously this fire just completely went out of control. It started just eating up vegetation as fast as the eye can see

Captain Fernando Herrera of California Fire Department

"It started just eating up vegetation as fast as the eye can see," Capt. Herrera added.

On the fire department website they wrote: "Multiple structures destroyed and numerous medical emergencies."

They added that there was "no further information".

About 160 students sheltered in place as smoke enveloped nearby Mesa View Middle School before buses arrived and evacuated them to another school outside the fire zone.

Fire officials were investigating what caused the trash in the truck to catch fire in Calimesa.

A bystander runs from the Saddleridge fire in Sylmar
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A bystander runs from the Saddleridge fire in SylmarCredit: AP:Associated Press
More than 275 wildfires have broken out within the past 24 hours
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More than 275 wildfires have broken out within the past 24 hoursCredit: AP:Associated Press
California firefighters have battled to contain more than 275 wildfires in the past 24 hours alone, some of which will continue to burn
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California firefighters have battled to contain more than 275 wildfires in the past 24 hours alone, some of which will continue to burnCredit: AP:Associated Press
Los Angeles County firefighters battle a wind-driven wildfire in Sylmar
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Los Angeles County firefighters battle a wind-driven wildfire in SylmarCredit: Reuters
One burning building among the devastation caused by the California wildfires so far, which officials say have been fuelled by hot and gusty winds
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One burning building among the devastation caused by the California wildfires so far, which officials say have been fuelled by hot and gusty windsCredit: AP:Associated Press
The fire department put out the majority of the 275 fires, due to them being smaller, however other larger ones still rage on through acres of land
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The fire department put out the majority of the 275 fires, due to them being smaller, however other larger ones still rage on through acres of landCredit: AP:Associated Press

Residents in the area were ordered to evacuate their homes, where 120 firefighters were dispatched to tackle the blaze.

More than 24 mobile homes had been destroyed in the area, other fires wreaked havoc on power-lines and engulfed land.

In California state, more than two million people were left without power, according to .

Energy company Pacific Gas & Electric cut power to 22 counties in California in a bid to stop their equipment starting fires.

The impacts to individual communities, to individual people, to the commerce of our state, to the safety of our people has been less than exemplary. This cannot be the new normal

Marybel Batjer, president of the California Public Utilities Commission

Marybel Batjer, president of the California Public Utilities Commission, described the situation as "unacceptable".

She said: "The impacts to individual communities, to individual people, to the commerce of our state, to the safety of our people has been less than exemplary.

"This cannot be the new normal."

THREE MAJOR FIRES SO FAR

A second dangerous fire was in Moreno Valley, around 20 miles away from Calimesa, where around 400 acres were lost.

The area was reported to have burned with a "moderate rate of speed" and like the others had 0 per cent containment.

After flames consumed the first 100 acres, it engulfed another 100 in 90 minutes and then claimed another 200 in two hours.

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The area was evacuated and the cause of the fire was unknown.

In El Cerrito firefighters battled to contain the third largest inferno, the "Eagle fire", that tore through more than 30 acres.

Its origin was also not known, at this point, but an investigation was said to be underway.

Flying embers cross over the hill sides from a wind-driven wildfire in Sylmar
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Flying embers cross over the hill sides from a wind-driven wildfire in SylmarCredit: Reuters
More than two dozen mobile homes have been destroyed in California's largest wildfire so far in Calimesa
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More than two dozen mobile homes have been destroyed in California's largest wildfire so far in CalimesaCredit: AP:Associated Press
The fire was started after the load on a garbage truck ignited and was accidentally dumped onto nearby dry-brush
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The fire was started after the load on a garbage truck ignited and was accidentally dumped onto nearby dry-brushCredit: AP:Associated Press
Firefighters have used all possible means to put out the fires so far, which are expected to continue
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Firefighters have used all possible means to put out the fires so far, which are expected to continueCredit: AP:Associated Press
It is estimated that more than two million people have been left without power, many caused by deliberate blackouts by utilities companies in a bid to prevent their machinery igniting wooded areas
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It is estimated that more than two million people have been left without power, many caused by deliberate blackouts by utilities companies in a bid to prevent their machinery igniting wooded areasCredit: AFP or licensors
California mobile home park destroyed as wildfires cause devastation in California

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