'12,000 homes destroyed, hydrants run dry': Devastating impact of California wildfires in videos

The

Los Angeles fires

, which began on Tuesday, have left many in shock as they witness firsthand the staggering destruction caused by the raging infernos. As firefighters continue battling the flames and strong winds persist, the scale of the disaster remains overwhelming.
The fires have already consumed over 12,000 homes and structures across a densely populated 25-mile (40-kilometer) stretch north of downtown Los Angeles. At least 11 lives have been claimed, with fears the death toll will rise as rescue operations intensify.
Four days after flames ravaged the areas around Los Angeles, residents are returning to what remains of their neighborhoods, still smoldering from the devastating fires.

Cadaver dogs are scouring neighborhoods that have been reduced to rubble, assessing the extent of the destruction. The area affected is so vast it exceeds the size of San Francisco.

About 150,000 residents remain under

evacuation orders

, with the fires having scorched approximately 56 square miles (145 square kilometers). Though rain has eluded the region for more than eight months, strong winds on Friday subsided, allowing firefighters to begin containing the fires.

The impact of the wildfires is widespread, affecting everyone from waiters to Hollywood stars. While the full extent of the damage remains uncertain, estimates suggest the cost will reach into the tens of billions of dollars.

In certain neighborhoods, hydrants ran dry, and the local water systems collapsed under pressure, prompting governor Gavin Newsom to order an investigation into the loss of water pressure.
Drone and aerial footage have captured the widespread devastation. Images show entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes, with beachfront mansions and dream homes obliterated in the blink of an eye.

One of the largest fires, the

Eaton Fire

, began on Tuesday night north of Pasadena, consuming over 7,000 structures, including homes, businesses, and vehicles. To the west, the fire in Pacific Palisades, now the most destructive in Los Angeles history, has already destroyed over 5,300 structures. The damage is catastrophic, with parts of the area left unrecognizable.