A pause in the fierce winds that super-charged the ring of wildfires that devastated Los Angeles this week helped crews make some progress in controlling the infernos on Friday, but strong gusts returning next week could resuscitate the flames.

Stars including Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Tina Knowles, and Jeff Bridges have confirmed the loss of their homes amid thousands in the southern California area.

Out-of-control wildfires are ripping across parts of Los Angeles, leading to at least five deaths, burning down hundreds of buildings, and prompting more than 130,000 people to flee their homes in America's second-largest city.