As Los Angeles construction worker Ivan De La Torre surveyed a landscape of smoking wreckage in fire-ravaged Altadena, a question nagged at him: how would insurance companies cover the cost of rebuilding an entire neighborhood?

Gina Zapanta and husband Michael Alder sprang into action to offer emergency housing and supplies to wildfire victims.

As of Friday afternoon, six wildfires were burning across Los Angeles County, including a fresh one that had ignited just hours earlier.

Pope Francis is praying for victims and rescuers trying to control the wildfires in California that have killed at least 11 people and destroyed thousands of homes, the Vatican said on Saturday.

At least 10 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.