People in southern California are still reeling under devastating wildfires, with harrowing sights being witnessed in and around the cities of Santa Paula and Ventura. It was reported that the flames moved closer to hit the heart of Los Angeles city as a new blaze, dubbed the Skirball Fire, erupted in the Bel-Air neighbourhood near landmarks like the UCLA campus and the Getty Museum.

Early morning commuters took to social media to share videos of the 475-acre Skirball Fire that had reached 405 Freeway, the United States’ busiest highway. Commuters drove through a shower of ash, as the hills on either side of the highway can be seen completely consumed by the fire. “Not the typical morning commute,” said a user who had posted the video (above) on Twitter.

Selah. It is really bad here. This is what I passed driving into work at 5:45am. iTried to turn around to go home and couldn’t. iDidnt even see the fire until iRode up on it. It was dark until iSaw a gigantic ball of orange. It’s the Bel Air mountains, on the northbound side of the 405 freeway across from the Getty Center. On absolute fire. I’m grateful to be safe; truly grateful. I’m at work with the little one. My boss will make sure I’m ok because she’s thoughtful in that way. My heart is sad today, especially for all the people losing everything and first responders and their families. It is in this moment that my relationship withJESUS means everything to me and that everything my parents ever taught me about HIM trumps the anxiety that’s trying to form in my heart. Please check in with THE LIVING & LOVING GOD. For REAL. His name is #JESUS. #losangeles #fire #405freeway #Selah #God #iLoveYou #YouWillKeepMeSafe #firstresponders #firefighter #police #paramedic #Jesus #Jesus #Jesus #Mercy

A post shared by Tiffany Lynette Anderson (@1tiffanylynette) on

Another video (below), posted by the Los Angeles County Fire Air Operations, was shot from the Firehawk helicopter as it navigated high winds and dense smoke.

More aerial footage (below) from Ventura city shows houses and other building engulfed in the flames of the Thomas fire. As a result, nearly 1,000 homes in Ventura, Santa Paula and Ojai were evacuated, and at least 150 structures were destroyed, Los Angeles Times reported.

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This poignant video (below) shows a lone horse running for its life on a highway near Los Angeles. California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in Ventura County, promising to attack the fire “with all we’ve got”.

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The smoke from the fires could also be seen from the International Space Station.