10 confirmed dead as firefighters work to contain blazes in Los Angeles area

Firefighters are hoping for a break Friday from the fierce winds that have fuelled massive blazes in the Los Angeles area, killing 10 people, obliterating whole neighbourhoods and setting the nation's second-largest city on edge.

On Thursday afternoon, the Kenneth Fire started in the San Fernando Valley. It moved into neighbouring Ventura County, but a large and aggressive response by firefighters stopped the flames from spreading.

The fires have burned more than 10,000 homes and other structures since Tuesday, when they first began popping up around a densely populated, 25-mile (40-kilometre) expanse north of downtown Los Angeles. No cause has been identified yet for the largest fires.

National Guard troops were patrolling the streets of Altadena before dawn on Friday after being called in to help protect property in the fire evacuation zone.

Troops in camouflage were posted at intersections in the city hard-hit by the Eaton Fire near Jeeps, Humvees and other military vehicles.

At least 20 arrests have been made for looting and other thefts in areas where the fire raged.

Los Angeles County officials say they plan to put an overnight curfew in place that would make it easier to make arrests.

"We haven't had any requests for further support. But Australia always stands ready to provide support to our friends in times of need," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp in the west coast city of Perth on Friday.

"One of the issues that we have, of course, is we do need to be cognisant of the fact that this is our fire season as well," he added.

- AP 

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