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.

Tens of thousands have fled their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades has burned nearly 20,000 acres as of Thursday. Fire crews are actively working to contain the flames and stop any forward progress.

The National Weather Service said what could be the strongest Santa Ana windstorm in more than a decade began Tuesday across Los Angeles and Ventura counties and was forecast to peak in the early hours of Wednesday, when gusts could reach 80 mph (129 kph).

A Pacific Palisades resident returned to his mobile home on Jan. 8 to find only rubble and burnt out cars.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who declared a state of emergency, urged residents to evacuate after he witnessed buildings destroyed by the blaze.