Just one of several blazes raging in Los Angeles has alone destroyed more than 5000 buildings, while the death toll continues to rise.
The damaged "structures" include houses and businesses, but also smaller buildings like motorhomes and sheds.
More than 180,000 people have so far been ordered to evacuate.
Several fire are now burning, with damage estimated at more than $US50 billion ($NZ89b) so far.
The official death toll rose to seven on Friday (NZT) but is expected to keep growing.
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