Eleven deaths have been confirmed and more than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. More than 150,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders. Law enforcement sources told The Times that it’s likely many of the small fires will turn out to have been the work of arson.

Dangerous conditions are expected to persist through Friday before a slight lull in flame-fanning winds potentially gives crews a foothold against infernos that have killed at least 10 people.