The inquiry is likely to examine warnings, weather forecasts, landslide and flood risks.

He says being in chief executive roles for 10 years “takes its toll”.

Police are searching for a man who allegedly stole two cars with children inside – including two babies – along the Great Eastern Highway in Western Australia.

CCTV footage shows a shirtless man jumping into an Orange Kia Sportage and closing the door in Somerville near Gatacre Drive in Kalgoorie at 4.05pm yesterday as a woman ran after him and attempted to open the door.

The woman tried to hold onto the door as the man pulled out of a driveway, but was forced to let go of the door as the car started to speed off.

READ MORE: Mass evacuations ordered as fresh fires threaten LA

There was a child inside the car, who police later found safe and well.

Police said 15 minutes earlier the unknown man stole a white Kia Sorento station sedan on Great Eastern Highway in West Kalgoorlie at 3.50pm while two babies were inside it.

They were also found inside the car safe and well by police a short time late.

Police have launched a search for the man, who is described as being approximately 160cm tall with a slim build and dark complexion.

He was wearing black track suit pants, a black hoodie and carrying a white clutch bag.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Several people on the beach were spotted with binoculars.

A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene.

More than 50,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings on Wednesday as a huge and fast-moving wildfire swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, but fire officials said a rapid ground and air assault was giving them the upper hand.

The Hughes Fire broke out in the late morning and within six hours charred about 39 square kilometres of trees and brush near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 64 kilometres from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week.

Though the region was under a red flag warning, winds were not as fast as they had been when those fires broke out, allowing for firefighting aircraft to dump tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant.

READ MORE: At least two killed in Nashville school shooting

"The situation that we're in today is very different from the situation we were in 16 days ago," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday evening.

There were no reported homes or other structures burned.

"This fire had a robust response today, and as you can see behind us, the responders are doing great work to try to contain this fire," Joe Tyler, director of Cal Fire, said.

"Certainly, we are not out of the woods yet."

More than 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, and another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

Parts of Interstate 5 that had been closed reopened Wednesday evening.

A 48-kilometres stretch of the major north-south artery had been closed for emergency vehicles, to move equipment and to prevent accidents due to smoke billowing across the freeway.

Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft tried to prevent the wind-driven fire from moving across the interstate and toward Castaic.

READ MORE: Trump tells Putin: 'Do it the easy way, or the hard way'

Marrone said that because winds were not as strong as they were two weeks ago, aircraft crews were able to drop fire retardant on the south side of the fire, where the flames were moving, he said.

More than 4000 firefighters were assigned to the fire, he said.

Winds in the area were gusting at 67km/h in the afternoon but were expected to increase to 96km/h by later in the evening and Thursday, the National Weather Service said on the social platform X.

Kayla Amara drove to Castaic's Stonegate neighborhood to collect items from the home of a friend who had rushed to pick up her daughter at preschool.

As Amara was packing the car, she learned the fire had exploded in size and decided to hose down the property.

READ MORE: AI split between Trump and new 'first buddy' Musk

"Other people are hosing down their houses, too. I hope there's a house here to return to," Amara said as police cars raced through the streets and flames engulfed trees on a hillside in the distance.

Amara, a nurse who lives in nearby Valencia, said she's been on edge for weeks as major blazes devastated Southern California.

"It's been stressful with those other fires, but now that this one is close to home it's just super stressful," she said.

To the south, Los Angeles officials began to prepare for potential rain even as some residents were allowed to return to the charred Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas.

Gusty weather was expected to last through Thursday and precipitation was possible starting Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

READ MORE: Monumental win for Harry as UK tabloids apologise, admit Diana intrusion

"Rains are in the forecast and the threat of mud and debris flow in our fire-impacted communities is real," Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a Wednesday morning news conference.

Fire crews were filling sandbags for communities while county workers installed barriers and cleared drainage pipes and basins.

Red flag warnings for critical fire risk were extended through 10am on Friday in LA and Ventura counties.

Officials remained concerned that the Palisades and Eaton fires could break their containment lines as firefighters continue watching for hot spots.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that winds could carry ash and advised Angelenos to visit the city's website to learn how to protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event.

LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer cautioned that the ash could contain heavy metals, arsenic and other harmful materials.

"Even a brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritation and lead to more serious problems," Ferrer said on Wednesday, asking people to wear protective gear while cleaning up.

The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and strong winds came as firefighters continued battling the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out January 7. Containment of the Palisades Fire reached 68 per cent, and the Eaton Fire was at 91 per cent.

Luna said Wednesday that his department was still investigating 22 active missing person reports in both fire zones. All of those reported missing are adults, he said.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating the causes of the fires but has not released any findings.

Several lawsuits have been filed by people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, alleging Southern California Edison's equipment sparked the blaze.

On Tuesday, a judge overseeing one of the lawsuits ordered the utility to produce data from circuits in the area where the fire started.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Lab workers earn 28% to 32% less than their Te Whatu Ora counterparts.

Australian fashion retailer Mosaic is closing one of its most iconic brands as receivers try desperately to save the company that's been on the brink of collapse for months.

All 136 remaining Rivers stores will shut down by mid-April, with 650 employees axed along with the brand.

Mosaic Brands said in December that the company would be winding back some of their retailers, including Rivers and Millers in an attempt to save them.

READ MORE: Federal government takes on Rex Airlines' $50m debt to keep collapsed carrier operating

Now, a month later Rivers will join Katies, Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W Lane and BeMe in the retail graveyard of brands axed by the company. 

"Unfortunately, a sale of Rivers was not able to be achieved…this means the Receivers have made the difficult decision to wind down this iconic Australian brand," KPMG Receiver and Turnaround & Restructuring Partner David Hardy said.

"The Receivers would like to thank the Mosaic and Rivers employees who have all worked tirelessly during this difficult period, as well as Rivers' loyal customer base who have continued to support the brands".

READ MORE: Nazi symbols graffitied on Nationals politician's billboard

The timing of the stores' closures will depend on remaining stock levels, the receivers also said. 

They are now working on securing a buyer for Millers and Noni B – the last brands remaining in the Mosaic Portfolio. 

It comes as a combined 160 Katies, Millers and Rivers stores were closed in mid-January impacting 480 employees.

The retailer has closed hundreds of stores across nine brands since entering into receivership in October.

United States President Donald Trump has shared what his successor Joe Biden wrote to him in a personal letter left behind at the Oval Office.

Trump was signing executive orders in front of dozens of reporters this week when he was asked whether Biden had written him a letter as part of the inauguration tradition between former and incoming presidents.

He discovered the letter tucked away in the Resolute Desk and held it up for the cameras.

READ MORE: Blessing or danger? Aussie experts on how Trump AI policy will affect us

It was addressed to "47", referring to Trump being sworn in as the 47th president.

"It could have been years before we found this thing. Wow, thank you," Trump said.

Trump read the letter and said it was "very nice".

"Just basically, it was a little bit of an inspirational type of letter, you know? Joy, do a good job. Important, very important, how important the job is," he said, according to local media.

"But I may, I think it was a nice letter. I think I should let people see it, because it was a positive for him, in writing it, I appreciated the letter."

READ MORE: Government takes on $50m debt from Rex to keep airline flying

In the two-paragraph-long letter, Biden wished Trump all the best for his second term.

"As I take leave of this sacred office I wish you and your family all the best in the next four years," he wrote in the letter which was obtained by Fox News.

"The American people – and people around the world – look to this house for steadiness in the inevitable storms of history, and my prayer is that in the coming years will be a time of prosperity, peace, and grace for our nation.

"May God bless you and guide you as He has blessed and guided our beloved country since our founding."

Trump wasted no time entering office and kicked off his first day by signing dozens of executive orders and reversing around 80 actions from the Biden administration.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Australia's top 10 most valuable brands have been announced, with supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles notably falling in value.