Firefighters battling devastating wildfires around Los Angeles hope a reprieve from powerful winds this weekend could help them contain this historic disaster that has so far scorched more than 35,000 acres and killed at least 11 people.

Eleven deaths have been confirmed and more than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. More than 150,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders. Law enforcement sources told The Times that it’s likely many of the small fires will turn out to have been the work of arson.

As the carnage from multiple blazes continues, weather agencies announced Friday that 2024 was officially the hottest year ever for Earth.