Dangerous conditions are expected to persist through Friday before flame-fanning winds subside slightly, potentially giving crews a foothold against infernos that have killed at least 10 people.

As wildfires roar into residential neighborhoods, firefighters in California and elsewhere are finding that water systems can’t keep up with the demand.

With wildfires raging, causing at least 10 deaths, burning down thousands of buildings and prompting evacuation orders for nearly 180,000 residents, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has sent 783 imprisoned firefighters into the fray.

Fires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area, prompting power outages, evacuation orders and curfews. The Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Sunset fires have collectively consumed around 45 square miles.

Among the thousands of boots on the ground battling the wildfires in Los Angeles are hundreds of incarcerated individuals — a fact that has renewed attention on California's longstanding, but controversial inmate firefighter program.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said it was running a recall for its off-duty members, not anyone with firefighting experience.

Firefighters are battling to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people f

With flames driven by hurricane-force winds, “it feels like Armageddon,” said one woman who was forced to evacuate. “It’s just smoke and darkness.”

By Jorge Garcia and Rollo Ross LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Two massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west devoured nearly 10,000 homes and other structures, burning into a third night on Thursday even as the fierce winds eased and gave firefighters a welcome but temporary respite.