The most severe fire warnings have expired, but crews were working to contain the largest blazes. Frustration was growing among displaced people desperate to return home.

For most of Southern California, red flag warnings were ending at 6 p.m. Wednesday night, meaning the danger of strong winds fanning and spreading wildfire flames was lower than it has been earlier in the day.

The Los Angeles wildfires have devastated most of the Pacific Palisades area, with over 130,000 people forced to evacuate, with flames only being fuelled further by strong winds. The death toll has risen to 25 and the combined area burnt by the fires around Los Angeles is reportedly about 60 square miles.