Wildfires around Los Angeles have burned rapidly in the past week after vegetation growth and record heat blamed on climate change, and Southern California blazes could get worse once seasonal winds start,

Firefighters are nearing victory in the battles against three major wildfires near Los Angeles that have burned more than 117,000 acres, destroyed nearly 200 structures and injured 23 people, officials said.

Scientists say climate change is stoking larger and more severe wildfires in the U.S. West. California's mountains are primed for fire after grasses and scrub thrived in the past two years' wet winters then dried out in recent high temperatures.

The largest wildfire is called the Bridge Fire and has swept through the San Gabriel Mountains which is northeast of central Los Angeles.