California fires have caused mass evacuations and fears of intense Santa Ana winds worsening the blaze are creating panic in and around Los Angeles.
Thomas Fire, the largest of four fires currently ablaze, is only five per cent contained.
David Begnaud of CBS News, was on the fire line in the city of Ojai in Ventura County, California.
He said: “Where we are right now, winds are actually carrying the fire towards Ojai. You’ve got flames that are burning on the western side of town, the northern and parts of the eastern side.
“The winds are starting to pick up, the smoke is pretty unreal in this area.
“Just recently we saw a wall of flames that had to have been 300 feet or higher.
“The LA fire burn index is the highest its ever been projected, an extreme reading is 162. You know what it is today? 296.”
A California fires map shows where wildfires have taken hold in Ventura County, just north-west of Los Angeles on the West Coast of the USA.
The shocking map reveals the rampaging Thomas Fire is now closing in on Ojai – a city loved by spiritual seekers, health enthusiasts and celebrities.
The National Weather Service Los Angeles tweeted: “Here is the latest unofficial burn area of the Thomas Fire as of 11pm PST as indicated by satellite.”
Thomas Fire began to threaten homes in Santa Paula and flames were seen marching west on Wednesday night, according to CBSLA’s Crystal Cruz.
Mr Cruz said: “We’ve been hearing sparks and loud booms and we think it’s power lines or transformers that have caught fire and blasted off.
“The fire was on top of the hillside and now it’s much closer, huge flames ripping down the mountain, sending smoke and flames west.