United Airlines passenger that landed at LAX recalls harrowing bird's-eye view of raging wildfire

"About 20 minutes before we landed, I opened my window and saw what only can be described as Mordor from 'Lord of the Rings,'" Viniello said, referring to the fiery, volcanic plain of the story's antagonist, the evil lord Sauron.

"Other passengers looked out their windows and there were gasps and a general sense of incredulity," he said.

Adding to the nightmarish sight unfolding below them, Viniello said the plane then experienced some turbulence from the high winds that passengers were earlier warned about.

"The landing was difficult, scary and ultimately applause-worthy," he said.

Officials said at least two people have been killed and "several" firefighters and civilians have been injured as the blazes engulf southern California. More than 1,000 structures have burned.

About 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures are under threat from the wildfires.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.