At least 24 people have died so far in the devastating LA wildfires.

Over 12,000 structures - many of them homes - have been either destroyed completely or damaged and entire neighbourhoods have been turned into smoldering ash and piles of rubble.

LA remains on high alert with further dangerous winds forecast today (Tues) and tomorrow, with the potential to make worse an already desperate situation.

This morning on 'Deise Today', Damien spoke to Russ Parsons.

For over 30 years, Russ was a journalist and editor with The LA Times before he moved to Waterford about five years ago and made the city his home.

He came into studio for the programme this morning to talk about the LA he once knew - and to describe his feelings at the devastating imagery and video footage emerging from the place he used to call home (and where many of his friends still reside).

You can listen back to the chat with Russ by clicking on the image above...