Fanned by winds of around 15-20mph, the blaze in the Sepulveda Pass region reportedly spread to more than 500 acres on Monday.

Among those to be forced from their homes was James, who issued a series of tweets in the early hours stating that he had fled with his family, saying the fires were “no joke.”

He later said he had found accommodation before urging people to stay safe and thanking fire crews at the scene.