A Southern California wildfire has destroyed 132 structures, mostly homes, in less than two days, fire officials said Thursday as raging winds were forecast to ease.

Improved weather conditions allowed firefighters to increase containment on the blaze raging northwest of Los Angeles and keep it from growing over the weekend, but residents from about 1,000 evacuated homes still had to stay away.

Powerful Santa Ana winds near Los Angeles are fueling some of the most significant wildfire threats in years across Southern California.

Authorities said firefighters battled fierce, howling winds and rescued people as a fast-moving Southern California wildfire exploded in size.

Some 10,000 people remained under evacuation orders Thursday as officials in several counties urged residents to be on watch for fast-spreading blazes, power outages and downed trees.

Firefighters were gaining ground Monday on a wildfire that raced across more than 32 square miles north of Los Angeles, damaged or destroyed almost 250 homes, businesses and other structures and continued to "creep and smolder" in steep rugged terrain.

Crews are battling wildfires on both U.S. coasts with more than 130 homes and structures destroyed out West. Firefighters in New York and New Jersey have been racing to battle dozens of blazes under the driest conditions in decades.