Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades has grown to nearly 20,000 acres on Thursday.

As crews continue to battle the deadly Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, the scope of its destruction is coming into focus two days after the massive blaze first ignited.

After the fires get under control, wind could help push some particles out of the air, as will gravity with some larger compounds. Gases and fine particles could hang around longer. In burned areas, winds or movement from the cleanup could kick up contaminated soil, putting them back in the air.