The fire exploded from 20 acres to 1,200 acres in mere hours and wind speeds could soon reach 100mph (160km/h).

The Eaton Fire was first reported around 6:30 p.m. local time in the Altadena area and quickly spread, with the potential to grow much further.

A wildfire raged across an upscale section of Los Angeles on Tuesday, destroying homes and creating traffic jams as 30,000 people evacuated beneath huge plumes of smoke that covered much of the metropolitan area.

Evacuation orders went into effect in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood, with multiple homes under immediate threat on Tuesday.

Before the fire started, the National Weather Service had issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County from Tuesday through Thursday, predicting wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph (80 to 130 kph) with isolated winds of 80 to 100 mph (130 to 160 kph) in the mountains and foothills.

Eaton Fire initially started today at 6:23 p.m. in Los Angeles County. As of Tuesday evening, it had consumed 200 acres, an increase of 190 acres since the last update. By Tuesday evening, the fire crew has not achieved any containment of the blaze.

Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and ongoing drought conditions, wildfires erupted Tuesday in Southern California, threatening homes in Pacific Palisades.

A brush fire has burned at least 1,200 acres in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, prompting thousands of evacuation orders.