By Jorge Garcia and Rollo Ross LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Firefighters finally started gaining control over two major wildfires on the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles on Friday as fierce winds that supercharged the fires for days finally eased.

Los Angeles is reeling from the most destructive wildfires in its history, and firefighters are struggling to contain the devastating blaze.

Fire crews in Los Angeles have gotten a brief reprieve from brutal Santa Ana winds that have been fueling five wildfires. At least three are still raging at zero containment, and nearly 180,00 people are under mandatory evacuation orders,

Two massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west were still burning uncontained on Thursday, but a brief respite from the fierce winds that have fanned the flames for two days allowed crews to slow their explosive spread.

By Jorge Garcia and Rollo Ross LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Two massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west devoured nearly 10,000 homes and other structures, burning into a third night on Thursday even as the fierce winds eased and gave firefighters a welcome but temporary respite.

Fires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area, prompting power outages, evacuation orders and curfews. The Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Sunset fires have collectively consumed around 45 square miles.

Firefighters are making progress slowing the major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and caused thousands of people to