Gigantic waves of flame that covered entire neighborhoods and filled the skies over Southern California with ash have killed at least 13 people.

At least six separate wildfires were still burning on Monday morning, all the way from the Mexican border to the suburbs of Los Angeles.

They were reported to have destroyed 800 homes and consumed about 120,000 hectares of land.

Authorities said they were seeking two men in connection with the fires, which they believe were started deliberately.