United States President-elect Donald Trump has tried to blame Democrats - including President Joe Biden - for the impact of the wildfires burning across California which have claimed at least five lives in a death toll that is expected to increase.
Thousands of homes and other buildings structures have been destroyed and almost 180,000 people, including Hollywood celebrities, have been ordered to evacuate their homes as the worst fires in California’s history raged out of control.
Two blazes were uncontained on Thursday (Friday AEDT) in the Palisades area between Santa Monica and Malibu and in Eaton near Pasadena, two days after they started, but hundreds of firefighters controlled another fire in the Hollywood Hills.
The fire could be the costliest ever, with damage estimated at $57 billion ($A92 billion) by AccuWeather, as many luxury homes have gone up in flames.
The death toll was likely to rise, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna told a press conference.
Trump, his billionaire political ally Elon Musk and other Republicans have blamed Democrat policies for the blazes, with the incoming President criticising California Governor Gavin Newsom and Biden for their environmental policies.
Trump called on Newsom to open up the water main in Northern California and let the water flow into the state rather than the Pacific Ocean.
“It ought to be done right now, NO MORE EXCUSES FROM THIS INCOMPETENT GOVERNOR. IT’S ALREADY FAR TOO LATE!” Trump posted on his Truth Social network.
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!”
In a post on Musk’s social media site Trump also wrote: “NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!”
In a post shared by another user on X, Musk said “mountains of regulations" helped fuel the wildfires.
Musk, the world’s richest man, said: "We need to eliminate excessive regulations that prevent progress. Take California wildfires — obvious solutions like fire breaks, clearing brush, and filling reservoirs are blocked by environmental rulings. These rules protect obscure creatures but leave homes and communities at risk. It’s time to prioritise common sense."
The homes of movie stars and celebrities like actor Billy Crystal were among those destroyed.
"We are heartbroken of course, but with the love of children and friends we will get through this," Crystal said of the Pacific Palisades home where he had lived with his wife Janice since 1979.
In other impacts, the National Basketball Association game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets in LA on Thursday (Friday AEDT) was postponed but the Los Angeles Rams still expect their National Football League home playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) to kick off.
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