Wildfires burning in Los Angeles County have left five people dead and burned thousands of structures to the ground this week, becoming some of the most destructive the area has seen in decades.

Dangerous conditions are expected to persist through Friday before a slight lull in flame-fanning winds potentially gives crews a foothold against infernos that have killed at least 10 people.

At least 11 people were reported dead in fires raging across Los Angeles. Five lived near each other in a ravaged Altadena neighborhood.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says the main priority for his staff is preserving life as crews continue to help with evacuations and fire mitigation. CBS News Los Angeles spoke to Luna about the life-saving efforts.

Wildfires menacing Los Angeles have killed at least 10 people and devoured nearly 10,000 structures, with five fires burning into a third night, as dry desert winds fanning the flames again gathered strength.

Firefighters reported some progress fighting the wildfires that have charred hillsides, homes and streets in Los Angeles County, but the strong winds that fanned the flames were expected to pick up again on Friday,

At least 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of looting during the wildfires raging in Los Angeles, according to officials.

Los Angeles police said they arrested up to 20 suspected looters around properties evacuated due to the fires. At a Thursday press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna outlined the security efforts around the fires,

Los Angeles DA vows to crack down on opportunist thieves amid looting as firefighters struggle to contain multiple wildfires raging in Southern California.

Los Angeles officials said on Thursday they had arrested 20 people for looting as vast swaths of the city have been left abandoned due to the wildfire evacuations. “We continue to conduct roving patrols,