Wildfires raging near Los Angeles in California have left at least 5 people dead, and more than 1,100 residential and commercial properties and other structures have been burned down.

Full-scale firefighting efforts have been underway with the fires spreading and new fire outbreaks starting at separate locations.

A wildfire that started in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday spread rapidly, fanned by extremely strong winds. Local fire officials say the blaze-hit region has now expanded to nearly 70 square kilometers.

NHK reporters visited an affected area on Wednesday. They saw a coastal road covered with dense black smoke, and a number of charred restaurants and houses.

The staff noted that there were scorch marks right behind the beach. This suggests that the fire was intense as it spread from the mountain side toward the sea.

Separate fires in the northeastern part of Los Angeles have also spread to urban areas. Yet another fire broke out in the mountains near Hollywood.

Wildfires are now burning at five locations around Los Angeles, covering 110 square kilometers in total.

Police say evacuation orders or warnings have been issued for more than 100,000 residents.

The US National Weather Service says that with intense winds expected through Friday, conditions prone to continued wildfires will remain for a while.

US media outlets say Universal Studio Hollywood and the adjacent Universal CityWalk shopping mall were closed on Wednesday.

The theme park website says the operator would extend the closure through Thursday, considering the intensity of winds and the extent of the fires. It calls on people to check updates on its website.