At least 16 people have died across the Los Angeles area in the wildfires. Officials have said the true death toll is not known as the fires continue to burn.

MORE: Heidi Montag, Cameron Mathison among celebs sharing damage from California fires Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said during a press conference that despite prepositioning resources from Northern California,

Fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, a series of ferocious wildfires erupted Tuesday and roared across the Los Angeles area, destroying hundreds of homes and killing at least 11 people, including some who died trying to prevent the fires from engulfing their homes.