A pause in the fierce winds that super-charged the ring of wildfires that devastated Los Angeles this week helped crews make some progress in controlling the infernos on Friday, but strong gusts returning next week could resuscitate the flames.

Officials warned that winds would strengthen overnight, creating conditions for the Palisades blaze to grow and for others to start.

Winds were expected to drop Friday around Los Angeles, bolstering a huge firefighting effort at the five major blazes wreaking havoc around America's second biggest city.