Hello everyone and welcome to Amunpur.

Here's what's coming up.

Terrifying scenes as devastating wildfires bear down on LA, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Then, with Trump promising mass deportations on day one, I speak

to the outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, on his record and the biggest

challenges facing the new administration. Also ahead, I do believe that if there was some kind

of universal health care plan, I would still be there.

I would be able to give 100% and be able to contribute.

And maybe we would still be open.

Michel Martin speaks to restaurateur, Yanique Benjamin,

about navigating systemic inequality in the culinary industry.

Welcome to the program, everyone. I'm Christiana Manpur in London. Massive destruction and harrowing escapes in Southern California as out of control wildfires sweep across Los Angeles County.

The noise is quite something, the fires are spread by a fierce windstorm with gusts reaching

hurricane strength. Authorities say they've caused deaths and significant injuries. Tens of thousands

of people have been ordered to evacuate and more than a thousand buildings have been destroyed.

First responders are focused on getting people out of harm's way, saving lives.

This was the scene earlier in Pacific Palisades.

This combination of this wind, which it does feel like I'm standing in a hurricane,

except for I'm getting pelted with sand because the ocean is literally right there.

And also I'm surrounded by the smoke and embers that are flying off and like little pieces of ash that are flying off as well.

You can see this building here is still on fire. In fact, every now and then, like right now, I get a wave of heat that actually just comes up off the building,

and you can feel it here, even across the highway.

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