A huge wildfire broke out in the US city of Los Angeles, destroying homes and snarling traffic as authorities evacuated 30,000 people as plumes of smoke covered much of the city.

Officials said at least 1,262 acres had burned in the Pacific Palisades area between Santa Monica and Malibu, after warning of a serious fire danger due to strong winds following a long period of dry weather.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Christine Crowley said more than 25,000 people in 10,000 homes, roughly the population of Pacific Palisades, were at risk and that more than five percent of the 23,431-acre area was exposed to fire.

Prior to the fire, the National Weather Service had issued a high fire alert for much of Los Angeles from Tuesday through Thursday, predicting wind gusts of 80 to 130 kilometers per hour.