Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades killed at least five people and burned more than 21,000 acres within three days, reaching 8% containment Friday as firefighting efforts continue.

Los Angeles has been battling fires fueled by violent winds of up to 160km/h. Nearly 180,000 people have had to flee their homes. Since the start of the fire, which broke out near Pacific Palisades before moving into the San Fernando Valley,

Nearly a dozen people are believed to be dead -- with the Los Angeles County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as devastating fires spread across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions,

Ten confirmed deaths and more than 9,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed and more than 150,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders. Law enforcement sources told The Times that it’s likely many of the small fires will turn out to have been the work of arson.

Chart showing structures destroyed by Los Angeles County's most destructive wildfires. Palisades Fire far exceeds damage from previous fires. The most destructive fires in Los Angeles County history