Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, with fast-moving flames burning through homes and businesses. Residents are fleeing smoke-filled canyons.

Two massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west were still burning uncontained on Thursday, but a brief respite from the fierce winds that have fanned the flames for two days allowed crews to slow their explosive spread.

Multiple wildfires, including the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, are raging across southern California Thursday, leaving at least 5 dead and burning more than 27,000 acres, officials say. Police have arrested 20 suspected looters.

The Eaton Fire destroyed homes in Altadena Calif., a town northeast of Pasadena. The image was captured Jan. 8 by Maxar Technologies' shortwave infrared sensor. This sensor has the ability to see through the dense smoke of an active fire to the ground beneath, as well as locating the flame front and hot spots in the fire, according to Maxar.

The wildfires that destroyed homes in multiple sections of the Los Angeles area will test California’s efforts to stabilize the state’s insurance marketplace after many insurers stopped issuing residential policies due to the high fire risk.

Firefighters battled early Thursday to control major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and caused thousands of people to frantically

Southern California's Palisades Fire, fueled by a strong windstorm, has grown to 1,261 acres and prompted the city of Los Angeles to declare a state of emergency as 30,000 people have been forced to evacuate.

The City of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency over the massive fire, which spanned nearly 3,000 acres as of Tuesday evening.

Residents abandoned their cars and fled on foot, as high winds fueled flames raging between Santa Monica and Malibu. Officials warned it could worsen overnight.

A fast-moving wildfire broke out Tuesday in the inland foothills northeast of Los Angeles hours after another blaze tore through the city’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood along the coast, destroying many homes and prompting evacuation orders for tens of thousands.