Thousands of firefighters were still battling to contain two major wildfires in Southern California on Friday as winds died down in the region.

Fierce wildfires in Southern California have killed at least 27 people and destroyed more than 12,300 structures after more than a week, local authorities said.

Police, accompanied by trained dogs, continue to search for victims and missing people in charred areas and buildings.

The fires have forced thousands of people to evacuate and burned more than 16,000 hectares, an area the size of Washington DC.