Fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, a series of ferocious wildfires erupted last week and roared across the Los Angeles area.

The Los Angeles Fire Department shared a video in which Captain Erik Scott showed the extent of damage caused by the Palisades Fire in Malibu. Credit: Los Angeles Fire Department via Instagram

A retired Los Angeles County Fire Department captain sprung into action when the Palisades Fire began to approach his home in Malibu last week, all while other homes in the surrounding area were already on fire.

Fires across the Los Angeles area have killed at least 24 people and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, officials said, scorching more than 60 square miles and displacing tens of thousands of people.

Family members continue to identify the residents who were killed in the Southern California wildfires as the death toll rises to 25.

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

Evacuation orders went into effect in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood, with multiple homes under immediate threat on Tuesday.

Officials are bracing for the return of fierce Santa Ana winds as they try to contain large blazes in the Los Angeles area. Here's the latest.

Twenty-seven people have died across the Los Angeles area. Officials have said the true death toll isn’t known as the fires continue to burn.

Dozens of people are believed to have died in the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have burned down whole swaths of communities

The Palisades Fire has been the largest in terms of burned areas. The iconic Malibu restaurant Moonshadows was completely destroyed, as was the Palisades Branch Library. The Palisades Charter High School suffered extensive damage. Here’s an analysis of the building damage with what we know now:

The most destructive fires in the city’s history claimed 27 lives. Officials say that number will likely increase.