Lucy Devine
Footage taken on the ground in California has revealed 'apocalyptic scenes' as people desperately try to flee the wildfires spreading across the state.
A 1,200 acre bushfire broke out on Tuesday (7 January), and has since continued to spread across several Los Angeles neighbourhoods.
More than 30,000 people have been forced to evacuate the area, while the blaze spread rapidly in just a few hours.
The fire began near a nature reserve in the inland foothills, north-east of Los Angeles. Dry conditions, abnormally warm temperatures and a high speed winds has led to the fire spreading incredibly rapidly.
This has resulted in locals having limited time to leave their properties. One care home in the region was even forced to push elderly residents in their beds down the street to escape the blaze.
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Since the fires began, footage has been circulating both on social media and via local news teams, revealing the devastating reality of the devastating situation.
So far, there are three active wildfires in the region, known as the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the Hurst Fire.
In one shocking clip, shared by Fox 11, residents in the Eaton Canyon area could be seen running down the street with their horses to try and escape the fire.
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Correspondent Gina Silver, who was on the ground in the Altadena area, explained that a woman had been trying to rescue her horses from the blaze.
Moments later, a local man and woman could be seen emerging from the smoke with their horses, explaining they were trying to get as many out as possible.
They also explained they had to set some of the other horses free.
People were stunned after watching the clip, with one person commenting: "Time is SERIOUSLY running out. These fires are moving tremendously quick."
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While another said: "I was a firefighter for years. This is what nightmares are made of. Prayers for all of the humans and animals involved."
Speaking about the footage coming from the region, another added: "These California fires are scary man the footage is real apocalypse stuff."
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency amidst the roaring fires.
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On Tuesday evening, he said: "This is a highly dangerous windstorm creating extreme fire risk, and we’re not out of the woods."
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Fire Department has asked off-duty firefighters to join them in tackling the blaze.