A rapidly growing wildfire raged across an upscale section of Los Angeles on Tuesday, destroying homes and creating traffic jams as 30,000 people evacuated beneath huge plumes of smoke that covered much of the metropolitan area.

The fire exploded from 20 acres to 1,200 acres in mere hours and wind speeds could soon reach 100mph (160km/h).

A wildfire erupted Tuesday in Los Angeles and grew to 200 acres within 90 minutes, spurring evacuation orders for thousands in Pacific Palisades.