At least 24 people have died and 16 remained missing in a set of devastating Southern California wildfires, as firefighters battle the blazes before wind picks up later this week—destroying thousands of structures and leaving behind mountains of debris federal officials have warned will take more than six months to clean up.

The Palisades Fire – the largest blaze – has killed at least five people. The Eaton Fire, above Altadena in northern Los Angeles County, has killed at least six people and burned more than 21 square miles, leaving apocalyptic scenes of destruction.