Explained | Where the major fires are burning in Southern California

To look at a map of the Los Angeles region is to see surprising and enormous stretches of the densely populated area under evacuation orders, from touristy blocks of Hollywood Boulevard to the Santa Monica and Malibu beach towns to suburban neighborhoods in Pasadena and parts of ranch country in the San Fernando Valley.

Here's a breakdown of where exactly the biggest fires are:

Palisades Fire

The Palisades fire, which erupted Tuesday morning, blazed through an iconic section of western Los Angeles and along the Pacific Coast Highway, threatening homes in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Santa Monica. The properties in these neighborhoods included mansions perched on hillsides that overlook the Pacific and are only accessible by narrow, windy roads as well more suburban tracts of homes in beachside areas where people often tote surfboards and are out walking their dogs on palm tree-lined streets.

As of Wednesday, more than 37,000 residents were under evacuation orders because of the Palisades fire, and more than 15,000 structures were at risk, Sheriff Robert G. Luna of Los Angeles County said. The fire, which was not at all contained as of Wednesday night, had already destroyed more than 1,000 homes and burned more than 15,000 acres -- making it the most destructive in Los Angeles history.

The fire razed several beloved local institutions, including the Malibu Feed Bin, which had sold pet supplies and gifts since 1966, and Palisades Charter High School, the alma mater of numerous celebrities as well as the filming location of many TV shows, including Modern Family.

Eaton Fire

The Eaton fire has burned more than 10,600 acres and is raging on the opposite end of the Los Angeles basin, by the northeast corner in Pasadena. It too is not at all contained.

The fire began Tuesday in the San Gabriel Mountains that tower over the northeast Los Angeles area, best known for the often snowcapped, highest peak commonly known as Mt. Baldy, as well as for being home to the Mount Wilson Observatory. The fire has forced more than 32,000 evacuations in La Canada Flintridge, Arcadia, Altadena, Pasadena and Monrovia -- suburban areas where many homes are nestled against mountain foothills. At least 1,000 structures have been destroyed as of Wednesday night, said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone.

The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center was engulfed by flames, said Melissa Levy, its executive director, though the extent of the damage was unclear. She said that staff had run in and grabbed the Torahs as ash rained down on the parking lot.

Sunset fire

A fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening and forced evacuations in parts of Hollywood, West Hollywood, Studio City and Beverly Hills. Some of the evacuations are in neighborhoods nestled in the hills, which are prone to fire, but many are in the flatlands, including some of the most touristy spots in Los Angeles.

The evacuation zone for the Sunset fire, which has burned 50 acres, includes a long stretch of Hollywood Boulevard, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with the stars embedded in the sidewalk, the historic Chinese Theatre and the intersection of Hollywood and Highland, with its many kitschy souvenir shops and Ripley's Believe it Or Not!

Hurst Fire

The Hurst fire erupted on Tuesday in Sylmar, in the northernmost part of the San Fernando Valley and about 25 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The fire has since burned 850 acres and is not at all contained.

While the Valley itself is densely populated, Sylmar is a more rural area that was once known for its olive orchards but now for its horse properties.

Lidia fire

A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon in a rural, mountainous part of Los Angeles County, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. The Lidia fire, which had grown to 350 acres Wednesday night and was 30 per cent contained, was burning near the highway that connects the suburban city of Santa Clarita to Lancaster and Palmdale in the Antelope Valley.

Woodley fire

After breaking out Wednesday morning, the Woodley fire grew to 30 acres before it was fully contained. The fire began in a park in the San Fernando Valley, near Sherman Oaks and Encino.