Timelapse video captures Palisade Fire as it grows 6 times in a matter of hours

A timelapse video captured the Palisade Fire in California as it swelled almost six times in a matter of hours.

Dangerous and life-threatening wildfires fueled by destructive Santa Ana winds blasted across parts of Los Angeles County Tuesday. The video shows fumes rising from behind a mountain shortly after 10:30 a.m. Within minutes the fumes grow bigger and blacker and soon the metropolitan skyline appears to be covered in large plumes of smoke.

The wildfires are setting homes, buildings and hillsides ablaze and forcing tens of thousands in the region to flee their homes. As of Wednesday, at least two people have died.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as firefighters struggle to contain the Palisades Fire, which singed nearly 3,000 acres by early Wednesday. More than 30,000 people were forced to flee their homes as fire burned between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, at a briefing Wednesday, said 1,000 homes, businesses and other structures were destroyed.

While the Palisades Fire started burning between Santa Monica and Malibu, another smaller blaze named the Hurst Fire ignited in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley northwest of downtown Los Angeles around the same time. In the evening, around 6:30 p.m., the Eaton Fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. in Altadena near Pasadena.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles residents woke up to the first light coming through layers of thick ash and smoke in the air. An eerie yellowish-orange sky replaced the typical striking pink dawn, and an impenetrable layer of gray made it hard to see across the city. As the morning marine layer dissipated, a big smoke cloud hung over the sprawling city.

Live updates: 'Hurricane of fire' driving thousands to flee in California; at least 2 dead

Palisades fire map

How contained is the Palisades Fire?

Extreme fire behavior, including "short and long-range spotting," continues to challenge firefighting efforts, Cal Fire said in an incident update Wednesday. The fire was listed as "0%" contained. Winds gusts of up to 60 mph were expected to continue through Thursday, potentially aiding in "further fire activity."

"Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW," the updated warned. "The area is lawfully closed to public access."

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How did the California wildfires near Los Angeles start?

Cal Fire has listed the causes of the three primary fires ? Palisades, Eaton and Hurst ? as "under investigation." But even before the fire started, the National Weather Service had issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County due to low humidity and dry vegetation caused by a lack of rain and powerful winds.

The weather service office in Los Angeles warned Monday that wind gusts could reach 100 mph in some areas this week prompt "extreme fire behavior" wherever blazes ignited.

How did the fires start? What ignited the wildfires raging across the Los Angeles area?

"This is a particularly dangerous situation ? in other words, this is about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather," the weather service office in Los Angeles warned Monday. "Stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate, especially if in a high fire risk area. Be careful with fire sources."

Contributing: Reuters, John Bacon, Michelle Maltais, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Palisades Fire spread captured in timelapse video: Watch