FFive people were killed, more than 1,000 buildings were destroyed and more than 130,000 residents were forced to evacuate in California as wildfires burned rapidly around Los Angeles, encircling the city.

On Tuesday, hurricane-force winds blew embers through the air, igniting block after block and destroying about 42 square miles (108 square kilometers) of land. As of Wednesday evening, six fires were burning from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, most of them uncontrolled.

Satellite images showed the extent of the destruction from the Pacific Palisades fire, which burned more than 15,000 acres of land, scorching the coastline along the famous Malibu district black and burning buildings along the waterfront to the ground.

Interactive slider showing the wildfires in California.

In Pacific Palisades itself, more than half a dozen schools were either damaged or destroyed.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said firefighters from across California and elsewhere arrived to help with aerial operations that doused the flames. She warned that they were still facing “erratic winds,” although not at the strength of a hurricane like Tuesday night, when much of the destruction occurred.

In Altadena, beyond the mountains north of Los Angeles where the Eaton fire began, satellite images showed a series of charred residential streets with smoke from nearby fires blazing in the air. On Wednesday, the streets were filled with ash and buildings were on fire everywhere.

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said between 200 and 500 structures were damaged or lost in the Eaton fire.

He said the city’s water system was overwhelmed and was further impacted by power outages, but even without those problems, firefighters couldn’t stop the fire as embers blown by the strong winds ignited block after block.

Interactive slider showing the wildfires in California.

In an image captured by satellite, the red glow of fires near East Altadena Drive can be seen through thick black smoke.

Interactive slider showing the wildfires in California.

The fire burned more than 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometers) and significantly damaged more than five school campuses. Around 750 firefighters were deployed to stop the fire.

The National Weather Service said gusty winds and very dry conditions would continue to fuel fires in the Los Angeles area. But the wind had died down enough for aircraft to help fight the fire, Augustin said.

“We have very mild wind conditions this evening, allowing us to deploy aircraft and a lot of additional resources to get this fire under control,” Augustin said. “That gives me confidence that we can get the fire under control.”

The fires came at a particularly vulnerable time for Southern California, which has yet to see significant rainfall since the water year began in October.

Then came the strong Santa Ana winds, bringing dry desert air from the east toward the coastal mountains, fanning wildfires as they blew over the hilltops and through the canyons.

Scientists said the fires, which are breaking out well outside the traditional wildfire season, represent the latest weather extremes that are likely to escalate further as global temperatures continue to rise in the coming decades.

With Associated Press and Reuters