Dangerous wildfires rage across California

Southern California still remains in the grip of five major wildfires.

Whipped up by dry Santa Ana winds, tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate, including in the high-end Los Angeles neighbourhood of Bel Air. A number of homes there have gone up in flames.

Several A-lister mansions are reported to be under immediate threat, including a winery owned by billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

In Ventura, around 90 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles, firefighters continue to battle the biggest blaze. Authorities say some 12,000 structures remain threatened by the so called Thomas fire which has destroyed more than 150 homes. 

California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency, freeing state funds and resources to assist firefighters.