More than a dozen people are believed to be dead and many more injured as several fires broke out across Southern California amid historically dry and windy conditions.

The Palisades Fire – the largest blaze – has killed at least five people. The Eaton Fire, above Altadena in northern Los Angeles County, has killed at least six people and burned more than 21 square miles, leaving apocalyptic scenes of destruction.

Firefighters began to see some progress battling the blazes on Friday, as the strong winds spreading the flames dissipated somewhat. "These fires are not out, though today we're going to make a lot of progress," California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said Friday, the Associated Press reported.