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Flames spread behind a vehicle from a Santa Ana wind-driven bush fire called the Thomas Fire in Santa Paula, California, December 4, 2017. Image Credit: Reuters/ Gene Blevins

Dubai: The UAE Consulate in Los Angeles has issued a warning to residents living or travelling to California, urging them to follow safety precautions amid the raging wildfires.

Emiratis in California were also advised to keep up-to-date on the wildfire, and to register for the online “My Presence” service, found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation. 

More than 1000 firefighters have been battling the California inferno since Monday as hundreds of home were destroyed by the wildfire, according to Reuters.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti declared a state of emergency in the city.

Firefighters on Wednesday battled to save multimillion-dollar homes in the path of the flames, which also forced the closure of the San Diego (405) Freeway in both directions, and warned that if the winds picked up again in the evening the situation could become even more dire.

"We are expecting some extreme wind behavior this evening," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby told reporters at an afternoon news conference.

The so-called Skirball Fire, which erupted early on Wednesday, was the latest in a rash of major blazes fuelled by hot, dry Santa Ana winds.

According to the Weather Channel, the strong Santa Ana winds “will keep wildfire danger high across Southern California through the end of this week.”In the event of an emergency, citizens can contact the consulate’s emergency number at +1 323 363 1736.