A state of emergency and a toxic air alert have been declared in Los Angeles after huge wildfires killed at least five people and swept through hillsides that are home to many celebrities.

Now, 130,000 Angelenos have been forced to evacuate their homes as the city became blanketed in a thick cloud of smoke and ash.

Thousands of firefighters are battling to contain the original LA fire in Pacific Palisades, which spread to destroy more than 20 square miles in just two days and is believed to have started in a back garden.

The Standard podcast is joined by climate scientist Dr Ella Gilbert, of the British Antarctic Survey and an expert on mountain winds, to discuss the environmental factors fuelling the devastation.

In part two, why has the pound slumped to a 14-month low against the dollar - and how will the current financial outlook impact you?

We’re joined by Jo Michell, professor of economics at the University of the West of England in Bristol.

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