Luxury in flames: Shocking pics of posh LA burning to ashes

An inferno engulfed the Los Angeles region on Wednesday (December 6), forcing more than 200,000 people to flee and threatening thousands of homes, including mansions in the luxurious Bel-Air neighborhood. (Text courtesy: AFP; Photo: Reuters)

Authorities issued a "purple" alert -- never used before -- because of the extreme danger including winds that could reach 80 miles an hour (128 kilometers an hour), severely limiting firefighting efforts. (IANS Photo)

The flames have swallowed about 80,000 acres (32,000 hectares) in just over a day since the "Thomas" fire, currently the state`s largest, broke out, leaving at least one dead in an area about 45 minutes from downtown LA. (Reuters Photo)

High winds caused another wave of wildfires to erupt overnight Tuesday (December 5), including one in Los Angeles` affluent Bel-Air neighborhood. (IANS Photo)

The area battled gridlocked traffic as residents fled ash and smoke that churned over the smoldering hillside in the United States` second-largest city. (IANS Photo)

Fire crews worked to save luxury homes threatened by the flames. (PTI Photo)

US media reported that the Bel-Air Moraga Estate of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, which contains a vineyard, was threatened by the wildfire. (Reuters Photo)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said more than 230,000 people had been forced from their homes in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. (Reuters Photo)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said it had released funds for relief services. (Reuters Photo)