The largest wildfire to hit Los Angeles this week rapidly tore through homes and communities, whipped by winds that sent embers skyward.

When the Palisades Fire erupted on Tuesday, rapidly growing to torch nearly 20,000 acres and destroy more than 5,000 structures, one family jumped into action to save their home.

LAFD firefighter Cpt. Robert Hawkins and his crew monitored a burning garage to make sure the fire wouldn't spread to the house next to it.

Street after street, there is little but dark ash and ruin where a wealthy seaside enclave favored by celebrities once stood.

As hundreds of Los Angeles residents return to find homes reduced to ashes due to a devastating wave of wildfires, many are fearful that their insurance policies may not cover the rebuild cost and that future premiums will be astronomical.