New fast-moving fire in LA prompts more evacuations

10 dead, more than 10,000 structures already destroyed; progress in containing older fires

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THE two biggest wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area have burned at least 10,000 homes, buildings and other structures, officials said as they urged more residents to heed evacuation orders after a new blaze ignited and quickly grew.

The fast-moving Kenneth Fire started in the late afternoon in the San Fernando Valley just 3.2 kilometers from a school serving as a shelter for fire evacuees and then moved into neighboring Ventura County by the evening.

Winds were expected to drop Friday around Los Angeles, bolstering a huge firefighting effort at the five major blazes wreaking havoc around America's second biggest city.

At least ten people have died as infernos ripped through neighborhoods, razing thousands of homes in one of the worst disasters ever to hit California, with one estimate suggesting the bill could hit $150 billion.