The region northwest of Los Angeles has seen some of California’s most destructive fires over the years. The Mountain Fire swiftly grew from less than half a square mile (about 1.2 square kilometers) to more than 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) in little more than five hours on Wednesday, with gusts topping 61 mph (98 kph).

"The only thing left standing of our house is the two chimneys," Darren Kettle told the Los Angeles Times. "My heart dropped to ... warming temperatures have created wet winters that allowed California's coastal chaparral - areas dominated by small trees ...