Wildfires tore across the Los Angeles area with devastating force on Wednesday after setting off a desperate escape from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.

Tens of thousands of people fled their homes near Los Angeles on Wednesday as three out-of-control wildfires fuelled by hurricane-force winds tore through the city's suburbs, destroying dozens of houses.

The fast-moving fire reached nearly 3,000 acres and was still 0% contained early Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.