Indian actress Preity Zinta, who has been staying in the USA ever since she married Los Angeles-based financial analyst Gene Goodenough, said she is safe 'as of now' amid the ravaging wildfires in the region that have left thousands of people devastated.

In her X post, Preity said: "I never thought I would live to see a day where fires would ravage neighbourhoods around us in La, friends & families either evacuated or put on high alert, ash descending from smoggy skies like snow & fear & uncertainty about what will happen if the wind does not calm down with toddlers and grandparents with us. I’m heartbroken at the devastation around us & grateful to god that we are safe as of now."

"My thoughts & prayers to people that are displaced & have lost everything in these fires. Hope the wind dies down soon & the fires are contained. A big thank you to the fire department, fire fighters & everyone else helping to save lives & property. Stay safe everyone," she said.

Four major wildfires have damaged over 38,000 acres and destroyed at least 10,000 structures.

More than 166,000 people are currently under evacuation orders after the wildfires started ravaging the area last week with firefighters battling to bring them under control.

Strong winds caused the fires to spread rapidly with firefighters struggling to contain them since last week when it began.

The wildfires have left 16 people dead so far.

Several Hollywood celebrities including Adam Brody, Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck fled their homes which were burnt down.