By Andy Sullivan The Pacific Palisades area ravaged by wildfires in Los Angeles is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the U.S., home to Hollywood A-Listers and multimillion dollar mansions. And ahead of this week's disaster,

The wind-driven wildfires burning out of control in the Los Angeles area couldn't have emerged at a more perilous moment for California's homeowners, as officials try to rehab what they concede is a deepening "insurance crisis.

This week's fires will only worsen the situation, insurance and real estate experts told Business Insider. "It's like we took two steps forward, then we just took five back," Cali

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

A fire fueled by dangerously high winds has forced thousands of people to leave their homes in Los Angeles County.

Out-of-control wildfires are ripping across parts of Los Angeles, leading to at least five deaths, burning down hundreds of buildings, and prompting more than 130,000 people to flee their homes in America's second-largest city.

Firefighters are battling to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes.

Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, with fast-moving flames burning through homes and businesses. Residents are fleeing smoke-filled canyons.

(structures includes vehicles) - 3 deaths - 4 firefighter injuries - 1,527 fire personnel assigned - Cause of fire unknown - Structure fire encompassed two homes and brush, extended into adjacent brush - Stopped forward progress at just under 1 acre Several homes went up in flames Wednesday as a new wildfire erupted in Studio City.