"These fires will likely be the costliest in history, not the deadliest, and that is the only silver lining right now."

Tens of thousands have fled their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades has burned more than 15,000 acres as of Wednesday. Earlier, authorities had said the blaze could grow further with strong winds fueling its spread.

As of Wednesday night, authorities in the Los Angeles area reported multiple fires were burning out of control — with dry conditions and high winds, much of fighting the flames was defensive, trying to save homes as a growing number of structures became ruin.