A deadly wildfire is raging out of control above Los Angeles, forcing thousands to flee their homes and threatening to leave communities unable to contact the outside world.
The main blaze, which has claimed the lives of two firefighters, is burning in mountains north of the densely populated city.
It has ripped through 105,296 acres of tinder-dry forest and is continuing to spread northwards, authorities said.
An army of more than 3,655 firefighters is battling to contain the blaze in the Angeles National Forest, which has thrown a giant white mushroom cloud of smoke across the city.
