This terrifying video shows the burnt hills of Kagel Canyon near Los Angeles, California, after a major wildfire raged through the area.

The footage, shot on December 7, shows a resident climbing up a hill to get a panoramic view of the area on the Canyon's highest point, showing how close the flames came to homes and the scorched earth underfoot.

"We were surrounded by a ring of fire. Every one of these ridges went up in flames," says the filmer.

Smoke can still be seen on a ridge in the distance.

He then points in the distance. "Up there is upper Kagel Canyon, a bunch of houses burned up at the top. ... Unbelievable."

"Can't thank these firemen enough. The battle they must have thought with their backs up against this neighbourhood."

According to reports, two people have perished in the blaze and 141,000 acres have been burnt down by the wildfires in Southern California.

A panoramic view of the entire Kagel Canyon from the highest point in the Canyon. This includes a terrific view of the burn area and how close it came to wiping out the entire Kagel Canyon community.