WASHINGTON — President Biden is expected to address the nation Thursday about the fires raging across Los Angeles.

Tens of thousands have fled their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades has burned more than 17,000 acres as of Wednesday. Earlier, authorities had said the blaze could grow further with strong winds fueling its spread.

A pair of massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west were still burning unchecked early on Thursday, two days after they ignited, but firefighting crews made progress overnight in controlling a smaller blaze burning in the hills overlooking Hollywood Boulevard.

Fires burning in and around Los Angeles have claimed the homes of numerous celebrities, including Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore and Paris Hilton and led to sweeping disruptions of entertainment events. Three awards ceremonies planned for this weekend have been postponed.

Every member of area households is under a lot of stress during the Palisades Fire, including the smallest members of the family. Keeping pets safe has been a priority for both those staying put and those who have felt the need to evacuate this week.

As students return to Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District campuses this week, the lingering impacts of pre-winter break are still being felt for the Malibu contingent. On Monday, Webster Elementary School reopened for one minimum day after the campus closed due to damage from December’s Franklin Fire,

President Joe Biden has cancelled his trip Italy to focus on the wildfires raging across California on Thursday.

Los Angeles is burning, with fire experts saying this is the worst wildfire situation the city has ever seen. And while high profile celebrities have been posting on social media about the losses of their homes,

Los Angeles is burning in yet another location as the so called “Sunset Fire” has broken out near Runyon Canyon. Officials announced the fire on Wednesday night when LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley had to excuse herself from a press conference called to talk about the other fires already burning in the area.

Massive wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area have filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke and ash, prompting air quality advisories across a vast stretch of Southern California. Three major fires broke out Tuesday amid dangerously high winds,