The release of Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show has been postponed due to the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Firefighters are scrambling to make further progress against wildfires that have killed at least 16 people in California as forecasters again warn of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week.

The premiere of the eight-part series Love, Meghan – in which the Duchess of Sussex shares cooking, gardening and hosting tips – has been pushed back from January 15 to March 4.

“I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California,” Meghan said in a statement to Tudum, the official companion site to Netflix.

A description of the series on Tudum’s website said: “Produced by Meghan, With Love, Meghan blends practical how-to’s and candid conversation with friends, new and old.

“Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected.

“She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.”

Meghan and husband Harry, the Duke of Sussex, hugged residents and spoke to emergency crews at a meal distribution site for people affected by the fires on Friday.

Harry and Meghan live in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, 145 kilometres from Los Angeles.

It is believed the couple have donated clothing, children’s items and other essential supplies for people affected by the fires.

On Sunday morning, Jason Oppenheim, star of US reality program Selling Sunset, said landlords had been taking advantage of people displaced by the fires, which began on Tuesday just north of central LA, and have burned more than 12,000 structures.

Actors Mel Gibson, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Billy Crystal, Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg are among the Hollywood stars who have lost their homes.

The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, talk show host Ricki Lake, and songwriter Diane Warren have also lost properties. There are also reports that Sir Anthony Hopkins’ home burned to the ground in the Pacific Palisades fire.

Grammy-nominated musician Halsey said she was evacuated from a home she had recently moved into.

The fires have thrown Hollywood’s awards season into disarray, with the Critics Choice Awards and Producers Guild Awards nominations among the events postponed.

-AAP