John Morgan

As we talk, a woman walks up and offers an open bag of chewy dog toys, an act of volunteer generosity of the kind we see repeated here time and again.

While people struggle to get on with their lives, the fight against the fires continues. The wind speed that first fuelled the blaze to such devastating effect has dropped off a little. but it's forecast to pick up again.

While people struggle to get on with their lives, the fight against the fires continues. The wind speed that first fuelled the blaze to such devastating effect has dropped off a little. but it's forecast to pick up again.

Late into the night, in one of LA's wealthiest areas, the eerie sound of home after home burning and collapsing. The sky filled with orange smoke and embers. A short way away, fire crews watch on helplessly. They're short of water.

Late into the night, in one of LA's wealthiest areas, the eerie sound of home after home burning and collapsing. The sky filled with orange smoke and embers. A short way away, fire crews watch on helplessly. They're short of water.

they tell us and in many cases they're just having to watch properties burn using their hose pipes sparingly on the houses across the street here in the hope that they can stop the fire spreading but it seems like a losing battle that was part of a fire right there right there those bushes will catch on fire and it'll be the end of this house in this house

they tell us and in many cases they're just having to watch properties burn using their hose pipes sparingly on the houses across the street here in the hope that they can stop the fire spreading but it seems like a losing battle that was part of a fire right there right there those bushes will catch on fire and it'll be the end of this house in this house

We've met Tony, who's here helping a neighbour try to protect his property. It's one of the only ones left standing here, houses on both sides still burning, a real threat to this home, and they're doing all they can to save it. Tell us what you're trying to do here now with the buckets of water.

We've met Tony, who's here helping a neighbour try to protect his property. It's one of the only ones left standing here, houses on both sides still burning, a real threat to this home, and they're doing all they can to save it. Tell us what you're trying to do here now with the buckets of water.

So you're scooping up buckets of water from the swimming pool?

So you're scooping up buckets of water from the swimming pool?

You're lucky you've got the swimming pool.

You're lucky you've got the swimming pool.

And you're hopeful you're going to be able to save the property?

And you're hopeful you're going to be able to save the property?

We've just met David Berrand. He's a... resident here initially from south africa and he's been able to get through the the police barricades to come back and see what's left of his home he doesn't know at the moment whether it's burned down but we're going to walk with him to see what he finds yeah i mean there it is and there it was nothing left nothing left wow

We've just met David Berrand. He's a... resident here initially from south africa and he's been able to get through the the police barricades to come back and see what's left of his home he doesn't know at the moment whether it's burned down but we're going to walk with him to see what he finds yeah i mean there it is and there it was nothing left nothing left wow

Questions, of course, will be asked about how this happened, how it was that the emergency crews were left so overwhelmed, and whether or not there is a wider cause. Meteorologists pointing to a very dry autumn and winter, which has clearly increased the risk. And as those dry winds pour off the inland parts of California... They've brought devastation with them.

Questions, of course, will be asked about how this happened, how it was that the emergency crews were left so overwhelmed, and whether or not there is a wider cause. Meteorologists pointing to a very dry autumn and winter, which has clearly increased the risk. And as those dry winds pour off the inland parts of California... They've brought devastation with them.

For now, the priority is on this still unfolding crisis and the needs of the many, many people who've lost their homes.