Firefighters were slowly making progress in their battle to contain the inferno that has razed swathes of Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood to the ground, but still-spreading flames threatened communities in the populous San Fernando Valley on Sunday.

Those looking to assist residents affected by the Los Angeles County firestorm have a number of options to donate money, materials or their time.

Wind-driven flames are pushing through the greater Los Angeles area, forcing residents to flee their homes by the tens of thousands. At least five major wildfires present an unprecedented disaster for rescue and relief officials,