2 fatalities confirmed as Southern California wildfires rage; 1,000 structures destroyed

now at for widespread disaster in Southern California four major wildfires are burning out of control in heavily populated areas authorities are overwhelmed by the size and the magnitude of these fires which are being fueled by Hurricane Force Santa andam winds it is Wednesday afternoon I'm Sarah Bloomquist and I'm Brian Taff the big story on ation news today is this terrifying scene playing out right now in LA county more than a thousand buildings have already been destroyed Crews struggling to get the upper hand authorities say two people have lost their lives so far in these fires the incredible winds hindering the efforts of firefighters who can't quite attack the Flames from the air just yet right many people took matters into their own hands using hoses pots anything they could find to control the flames on their property others had no choice but to abandon their efforts and watch in horror as their homes and everything inside burn to the ground ABC's Alex Stone reports from Altadena where officials say the eaten fire is responsible for at least two deaths an apocalyptic scene in Southern California valleys filled with smoke Flames taking over hillsides as at least four major wildfires burn out of control Embers flying all around pushed by Hurricane strength winds oh and we have you know a partial structure collapse this afternoon we got our first look at the devastation from the air the wind slowing enough for helicopters to fly safely it's Armageddon I'm driving through war zone right now and I don't even know what to say I'm speech till Sun shock the winds also kept firefighters from launching water-dropping helicopters people running with buckets of water in their hands trying to do anything they could to save homes others rushing to grab any belongings they could neighbors tried but could not save the simmington family's home of 24 years it makes me want to cry but it also in the midst of the Dark Hour puts a little Ray of of love and hope all the stuff that's here is replaceable people are not having the family the most important thing a senior Assisted Living Center destroyed all of the over 90 residents evacuated safely some rushed to Safety in wheelchairs this is not a normal red flag alert the LA County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires but not four President Biden is in Los Angeles for an unrelated matter and got an update on the disaster from firefighters he's also spoken with Governor Gavin Newsome we're prepared to anything and everything as long it takes contain these fires and help reconstruct make sure back continuing to try to put out some of these and Brian and Sarah right now firefighter are trying to put out some of these flames on a number of homes that are continuing to burn the winds have calmed down quite a bit here on this Wildfire but still they have a lot of work left to do and and still the fire is spreading live in Altadena California Alex Stone Channel 6 Action News yeah Alex we've been watching the coverage all day hard to underestimate the expansiveness of these fires thank you for