Multiple major wildfires are leaving a trail of destruction and death in the Los Angeles area.

A handful of wildfires kicked up Tuesday, powered by high winds and dry conditions , and have exploded in size. As of Tuesday afternoon, 2 people have been killed and more than 80,000 people have been evacuated. 

Follow live coverage here.

The maps below show the size and status of the fires. They will be updated frequently.

DENVER — As Colorado deals with bone-chilling temperatures and snow, fires continue to rage across Southern California.

At least five people have been killed and 70,000 people have evacuated, as of Thursday afternoon.

Officials said more than 1,000 structures have burned in the fires. The largest of the fires is the Palisades Fire, which has grown to about 12,000 acres in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Denver7 is speaking to Colorado agencies, some of whom have already been called to help battle the flames. While others say, they haven’t been asked to assist yet but are on standby in case they’re needed.

Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control said they are sending one of their Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) to California on Wednesday afternoon.

The MMA can provide critical intelligence, images and communication capabilities. It can aid in making sound tactical decisions and improving the efficiency of the fire response.

Jeff Rasmussen, the MMA’s Program Manager said the aircraft helps battle fires in a unique way.

“When you’re on the ground on a fire, you’re only seeing what’s in front of you, and so what we provide is a full picture of what that fire is doing and what’s going on,” Rasmussen said.

He said the aircraft does this by utilizing infrared technology.

“With the infrared camera, one of our biggest advantages with that is, we’re able to see through smoke, right? And so the naked eye can’t see through smoke and be able to determine exactly where a fire perimeter is or which way it’s progressing. And so we’re able to do that with our infrared camera and map specifically where that fire edge is, you know, in relation to homes, structures or values at risk,” he added.

LA wildfire latest: 2 dead, thousands of structures destroyed

The fast-growing fire, Rasmussen said, is being highly influenced by the winds. “As far as wildfire goes, it’s probably, you know, worst case scenario,” he said.

Denver7 also spoke with Westminster Fire, crews there have not been requested to assist in California but are available.

Emily Peek, with Westminster Fire said they have 21 members on their wildland team that are deployable.

“If our team is requested, they have a two to three hour window where they have to activate for deployment. They then have to get to the other state as quickly as possible. Usually that’s driving with one of our apparatuses. But occasionally we will fly out the members as well. They then will be on a 14 day deployment, but can be extended up to 21 days,” Peek said.

Chris Pizzello/AP

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Although Peek added that it’s more likely they’d be sent to other states first – that have already been called to California.

“California has a really robust wildland program where they’re able to use a lot of in-state resources. If it exceeds that capability, they would first contact the surrounding states, and then it’s more likely that Westminster would be contacted to visit those surrounding states, to be on a backfill situation there,” Peek said.

Colorado crews that are heading to California now with the infrared technology said, they’re prepared to stay as long as needed and will check to see what other support is needed.

• In the video player below, watch as a mom, daughter flee the wildfire.

Mom, daughter record video fleeing CA wildfire in car

A high-surf warning issued in parts of Hawaii advises potential beachgoers to avoid the shore, as waves stretching up to 40 feet pound the Aloha State.

Why It Matters

Large breaking waves could cause damage in infrastructure near certain shores in Hawaii this week, with the high-surf warning remaining in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday. Swimmers and beachgoers also could be at risk of injury, as the surf hit 40 feet in some places.

What To Know

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Honolulu first issued the high-surf warning on Friday, with the alert saying an “extra-large” swell was expected to peak on Wednesday, which would produce “dangerously large surf” on north- and west-facing shores.

Affected beaches include north- and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu
and Molokai, as well as north-facing coasts in Maui. The surf was highest, up to 40 feet, on north-facing shores, and waves up to 30 feet were expected for those facing west.

The swell is expected to gradually diminish on Thursday and Friday.

Average surf for this time of year is 12 to 16 feet. The dangerous waves are often caused by long-period large swells generated by a storm system near Alaska.

A small craft advisory is also in place, warning inexperienced mariners, especially those operating small vessels, against navigating the waters, as seas were expected to be hazardous.

What People Are Saying

NWS meteorologist Genki Kino told Newsweek: “We have just been really active in the north Pacific with a series of storms off to the northwest. We get into these active patterns with back-to-back swells. January is on average our biggest time of year [for waves] on the north shores.”

While discussing 40-foot waves, NWS meteorologist Tina Stall previously told Newsweek: “Those waves are nothing to mess around with. If they’re high enough, we can also get some overwash up the beaches and onto the roadways if they’re nearby.”

Stall previously told Newsweek: “[High surf] is pretty typical for this time of year. We are getting into the winter season, which is north shore season. So we get a lot of swells out of the northwest from storm systems up in the north Pacific.”

NWS Honolulu, in a high-surf warning: “Expect ocean water surging and sweeping across beaches, coastal benches, and lava flows creating the potential for impacts to coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways. Powerful longshore and rip currents will be present at most beaches. Large breaking waves and strong currents may impact harbor entrances and channels causing challenging boat handling.”

The warning added: “Stay away from the shoreline along the affected coasts. Be prepared for road closures. Postpone entering or leaving channels affected by the high surf until the surf subsides.”

What Happens Next

The surf is expected to drop below warning levels by Friday.