Hurricane-force winds have helped four fires move quickly through Los Angeles County, putting houses, historic buildings and lives in danger.

Firefighters battled Thursday to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed seven people, burned at least 10,000 structures from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes.

The Pacific Palisades fire in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California has destroyed one synagogue and is threatening two others and many homes.