Aircraft dropped water and fire retardant on steep hills to stem the eastward spread of the Palisades Fire and KTLA television reported that ground crews had managed to save a number of houses, although others were lost.
"LA County had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak," Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
Six simultaneous blazes that have ripped across the United States' second-largest city since Tuesday had killed at least 16 people as of late Saturday, the Washington Post and other media reported, citing the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office.
Reuters could not reach the coroner.
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) #SantaAnaWind combined with dry air and very dry vegetation will maintain high WILDFIRE RISK through Wednesday. Continue to practice fire safety by avoiding work that creates sparks, report any smoke, and stay informed. Gather items you will need, should you be evacuated. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/V7yPdDdHrbJanuary 12, 2025
At least 13 people are estimated to be missing.
The blazes have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, fire officials said.
The flames have reduced whole neighbourhoods to smouldering ruins, destroying the homes of the rich and famous and ordinary folk alike and leaving an apocalyptic landscape.
Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire spread over an additional 400 hectares, consuming more homes, officials reported.
Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins said that while 11 per cent of the Palisades Fire was now contained, it has burned more than 8900 hectares.
Hopkins told a press conference that fire had spread into the Mandeville Canyon and threatened to jump into Brentwood, an upscale neighbourhood that is home to many celebrities, and the San Fernando Valley.
It also inched towards the north-south 405 freeway.
Wildfire flames are approaching the neighbourhood of Brentwood and the San Fernando Valley. (AP PHOTO)
Although the Santa Ana winds that have fanned the flames were calmer on Saturday, the National Weather Service warned that stronger gusts of up to 110km/h could return early next week.
Red Flag warnings remain in effect for LA and Ventura counties through to Wednesday, the NWS said.
"These winds, combined with dry air and dry vegetation, will keep the fire weather threat in the area," it said.
Conditions were expected to moderate by Thursday.
On Saturday, some residents were allowed to return to the sites of their ruined homes to see what they could salvage from the wreckage.
Teams with the LA County Sheriff's Department were working to sift through the rubble with sniffer dogs to search for human remains.
Evacuation orders throughout the Los Angeles area cover areas home to 153,000 residents.
Another 166,000 residents have been warned that they may have to leave, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
US President Joe Biden spoke by phone with officials to get an update on their efforts and was briefed by aides on federal resources that were being dispatched.
His declaration of a major disaster unlocked federal assistance for those affected by the wildfires, clearing the way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide support.
In Altadena, official Don Fregulia said managing the Eaton Fire and its effects will be a "huge, herculean task" that he said will take "many weeks of work".
The two big fires combined have consumed more than 14,500 hectares, in one of the worst disasters in Los Angeles' history.
Officials have declared a public health emergency due to the thick, toxic smoke and poorer air quality as the fires lofted traces of metals, plastics and other synthetic materials.
But progress was reported in bringing electrical power back to Los Angeles neighbourhoods.
Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell said there were about 50,000 customers without power, down from more than half a million days earlier.
