Ferocious winds that drove the flames and led to chaotic evacuations have calmed somewhat and are not expected to be as powerful during the day, possibly allowing firefighters to make progress reining in blazes that have hopscotched across the sprawling region,

Red Flag Warnings remain in effect through Friday evening for much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, the National Weather Service said.

Major fires have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes.