Hollywood Hills burns as Los Angeles is engulfed by 'the big one'

The Hollywood Hills blazed uncontrollably on Jan 9 morning as the worst wildfires in the history of Los Angeles raged across the city and deep into the storied heartland of the American film industry.

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A crescent of flame squeezed Los Angeles in a huge pincer visible from space.

More than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as dry, hurricane-force winds spread flames across parched ground that has seen no rain for months. At least five people have died since the fires erupted on Jan 7. The homes of movie stars and celebrities were among those consumed by flames, which tore through some of the world's most lavish real estate and above show-biz landmarks instantly recognizable around the world.

"This firestorm is the big one," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told a press conference after rushing back to the city, cutting short an official trip to Ghana.

At least six separate wildfires were burning in Los Angeles County. Three of them were listed as "0 per cent controlled", including a pair of huge conflagrations on the city's eastern and western flanks and the smaller Sunset fire raging in Hollywood Hills just above Hollywood Boulevard and its Walk of Fame.

The LA Fire Department issued an evacuation order for people in an area within Hollywood Boulevard to the south, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east, and Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west - all iconic addresses for film, TV and music. The Hollywood Sign is across the freeway.