Fires devastating Los Angeles grow more slowly as fierce winds die down

The fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles (John Locher/AP)

The two biggest fires devastating the Los Angeles area grew just slightly on Friday as firefighters beat back the blazes that have killed at least 10 people, obliterated neighbourhoods and left the nation’s second-largest city on edge.

Officials expressed optimism that a break from the punishing winds stoking the flames will allow firefighters to make headway on the fires that have burned an area bigger than San Francisco and destroyed more than 10,000 homes and other structures since Tuesday.