Fire official warns worst is yet to come for LA area

LOS ANGELES — The onslaught of fire tearing through real estate in Southern California raged for a third day Wednesday as a new blaze erupted near the Getty Center in Los Angeles, igniting mansions in posh Bel-Air, forcing more evacuations and shutting down a major freeway.

The fast moving blaze was one of five conflagrations that have laid waste to neighborhoods, businesses and forced thousands to flee as harsh Santa Ana winds continue to blow hot inland air down hill toward the ocean into flatland communities.

State fire officials say the worst is yet to come. Offshore winds are expected to ramp up overnight into Thursday, when gusts of at least 65 mph are expected to fan the flames.