California wildfires

A wildfire erupted in Los Angeles’ exclusive Bel-Air section Wednesday as yet another part of Southern California found itself under siege from an outbreak of wind-whipped blazes that have consumed multimillion-dollar houses and tract homes alike.

Section:Gallery

Wed., Dec. 6, 2017

Motorists on Highway 101 watch flames from the Thomas fire leap above the roadway north of Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. As many as five fires have closed highways, schools and museums, shut down production of TV series and cast a hazardous haze over the region. About 200,000 people were under evacuation orders. No deaths and only a few injuries were reported.

Noah Berger Associated Press
Flames from the Thomas fire burn above a truck on Highway 101 north of Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

Noah Berger Associated Press
Flames from the Thomas fire burn above traffic on Highway 101 north of Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

Noah Berger Associated Press
Homes stand along the beach as the sun is visible through thick smoke from a wildfire Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, in Ventura, Calif.

Jae C. Hong Associated Press
Resident Brent Rosenzweig uses water to put out a smoldering tree in his backyard, as he worries about losing his family home in the second round of weather coming in Ventura, Calif., Wednesday, Dec.6, 2017. Wind-driven fires have raced through California communities for the second time in two months, leaving hundreds of homes feared lost and uprooted tens of thousands of people. The most damaging fire is in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles, where more than 100 square miles (259 sq. kilometers) and numerous homes have burned.

Amanda Lee Myers Associated Press
A firefighter mops up at a home consumed by a wildfire in the Bel Air district of Los Angeles Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. A dangerous new wildfire erupted in the tony Bel Air area of Los Angeles early Wednesday as firefighters battled three other destructive blazes across Southern California.

Jae C. Hong Associated Press
The Getty Center lies shrouded in smoke as firefighters keep watch on a nearby canyon from the terraces of homes in the Bel Air district of Los Angeles after the Skirball wildfire swept through Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. A destructive wildfire that erupted early Wednesday burned not far from The Getty Center, the $1 billion home to the J. Paul Getty Museum and related organizations that overlooks Los Angeles from a perch on the southern slope of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Reed Saxon Associated Press
Resident Melissa Rosenzweig worries about losing her family home in the second round of weather coming in Ventura, Calif., Wednesday, Dec.6, 2017. The Rosenzweig's house nearly didn't make it this last time, and the house across the street from them burnt down in the Thomas Fire. Wind-driven fires have raced through California communities for the second time in two months, leaving hundreds of homes feared lost and uprooted tens of thousands of people. The most damaging fire is in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles, where more than 100 square miles (259 sq. kilometers) and numerous homes have burned.

Amanda Lee Myers Associated Press
Los Angeles firefighters stand on a fire engine during sunrise as they battle flames on Casiano Road after the Skirball fire swept through the Bel Air district of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

Reed Saxon Associated Press
Flames sweep up a steep canyon wall, threatening homes on a ridge line as the Skirball wildfire swept through the Bel Air district of Los Angeles Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

Reed Saxon Associated Press
Los Angeles firefighters station engines on Bel Terrace and a helicopter prepares to make a water drop as the Skirball wildfire threatens the Bel Air district of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

Reed Saxon Associated Press
Crystal Shore look over the wildfire damaged neighbors home along Via San Anselmo in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

Chris Carlson Associated Press
Neighbors walk past a home destroyed by wildfire along Via San Anselmo in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

Chris Carlson Associated Press