From the air, the once-thriving Los Angeles neighborhoods wiped out by recent wildfires now appear as block after block of grayish-brown ash and rubble. Sunlight reflects off the skeletal remains of homes, restaurants and shops.
The only bright colors seen from a helicopter flight over fire-damaged areas on Wednesday came from a few red cars and a single yellow one. Traffic was light as residents in most of the region were still being kept away.
