From the air, the extent of the devastation wrought by the Palisades Fire on these two neighbourhoods is starting to come into focus: whole streets in ruins, the remains of once-fabulous houses now nothing but ash and memories.

Amid the tragedy a look at the before and after pictures of neighbourhoods from Malibu, to Hollywood Hills, Pasadena and the Los Angeles skyline.

Mel Gibson has admitted it is "kind of devastating" to have lost his Malibu home in the Los Angeles wildfires but he is grateful he and his family are safe and well.

Companies, businesses and nonprofits that are offering free supplies, resources and services to victims of the Los Angeles-area fires.

Stars including Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Tina Knowles, and Jeff Bridges have confirmed the loss of their homes amid thousands in the southern California area.

It would take four days before firefighters could establish even a short line of containment around it. And yet, well before the Palisades Fire ignited Tuesday morning, preparations had begun for aggressive firefighting.