Firefighters are making progress slowing the major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and caused thousands of people to flee their homes. Ferocious winds that drove the flames and prompted chaotic evacuations have calmed somewhat, but major gusts remain a threat Thursday. Roughly 180,000 people are under evacuation orders in the Los Angeles area. Authorities are just beginning to calculate the toll. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley says the Palisades Fire along the coast burned thousands of structures. And cadaver dogs and search crew are searching the rubble for more victims.

Southern California firefighters have made progress against a wildfire that has destroyed 132 structures, mostly homes. The flames were fanned by fierce wind gusts that began easing Friday, allowing some people to return to sort through the charred remains of their homes. The Mountain Fire started Wednesday morning in Ventura County and had grown to 32 square miles. It was 7% contained Friday morning. At least 88 additional structures have been damaged. Some 10,000 people remained under evacuation orders Friday morning. The fire continues to threaten about 3,500 structures in suburban neighborhoods, ranches and agricultural areas around Camarillo in Ventura County. The cause of the fire has not been determined.