A wildfire that erupted in a Los Angeles suburb has spread rapidly and has caused structural damage.

The blaze began shortly after 10:00 a.m. Tuesday local time, and was fanned by winds blowing from the mountains toward the Pacific.

The fire spread over an area of 5.1 million square meters in five hours.

Local media are broadcasting special programs with live footage of houses engulfed by flames.

Fire authorities have ordered about 30,000 residents to evacuate. Roads near the site are jammed with vehicles as people try to flee.

The site is adjacent to Santa Monica, which is popular with tourists.

Flames and black smoke were visible from an office building housing NHK's Los Angeles bureau.

Firefighters are on alert as localized gusts were forecast for the Los Angeles area through Wednesday.