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LA firefighters battle wildfires LA firefighters battle wildfires
(about 1 hour later)
Three wildfires driven by strong winds have destroyed dozens of homes near Los Angeles and claimed at least two lives.Three wildfires driven by strong winds have destroyed dozens of homes near Los Angeles and claimed at least two lives.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the flames and thousands of people have been evacuated from areas north and west of the city.More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the flames and thousands of people have been evacuated from areas north and west of the city.
But one fire, in the Angeles National Forest, is about 70% contained, thanks largely to a drop in wind speed. The fire in the north-east of the San Fernando Valley, called Marek, is 70% contained, due to a drop in wind speed.
The BBC's Peter Bowes says emergency services are optimistic as the winds are forecast to continue to die down.The BBC's Peter Bowes says emergency services are optimistic as the winds are forecast to continue to die down.
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in two counties.
Marine base
Southern California is vulnerable to wildfires between October and February when the dry Santa Ana winds blow in.Southern California is vulnerable to wildfires between October and February when the dry Santa Ana winds blow in.
The first major blaze, named by fire crews as the Marek Fire, is covering 4,700 acres (1,900 hectares) at the north-east end of the San Fernando Valley. California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in two counties, saying the winds were creating the "perfect storm".
The second, called the Sesnon Fire, is covering 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) in the Porter Ranch area at the valley's western end, having almost doubled over Monday night. "Very strong (winds), low humidity, and heat. Those are the three elements that create those kind of fires and makes them get out of control," he said.
Another 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) is burning in Camp Pendleton, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,400 homes at the Camp Pendleton Marine base and nearby Oceanside. Marine base
The first major blaze, Marek fire, is covering 4,700 acres (1,900 hectares) at the north-east end of the San Fernando Valley but was declared 70% contained on Tuesday.
Fire authorities said the winds could help in tackling the firesGovernor Schwarzenegger said he was "very, very proud" of the firefighters there.
"Yesterday when we talked, it looked really bad," he told reporters. "They've turned this whole thing around."
However a second fire, called the Sesnon fire, almost doubled overnight and is covering 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) in the Porter Ranch area at the valley's western end.
"We are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us," said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.
"It depends on the winds. In this situation, wind is king. The winds could even be benevolent."
Another 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) was burning in Camp Pendleton but was 25% contained by Tuesday morning.
The fire forced the evacuation of more than 1,400 homes at the Camp Pendleton Marine base and nearby Oceanside, although this was later lifted for some of the properties.
In pictures: LA wildfiresIn pictures: LA wildfires
"The fire wants to make its way to the coast, and we're going to do our level best to stop it," said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey, adding: "Two-thirds of our department is on the line." Fire officials have also alerted communities to the west in the Ventura County city of Simi Valley and south to Malibu, 20 miles (32km) away.
Fire officials have also alerted communities to the west in the Ventura County city of Simi Valley and south to Malibu, 20 miles (32km) away
Helicopters and air tankers have been brought in to help douse the flames but winds of more than 60mph (97kph) are hampering the operation.Helicopters and air tankers have been brought in to help douse the flames but winds of more than 60mph (97kph) are hampering the operation.
One of the two fatalities is believed to be a homeless man who was living in a makeshift shelter near the Angeles National Forest.One of the two fatalities is believed to be a homeless man who was living in a makeshift shelter near the Angeles National Forest.
Another man died in a motorway accident as vehicles were being turned around to avoid the flames. An 18-mile stretch of one freeway has been completely shut down.Another man died in a motorway accident as vehicles were being turned around to avoid the flames. An 18-mile stretch of one freeway has been completely shut down.
Many other roads are closed, along with schools and businesses. Many other roads remain closed, along with schools and businesses.
However, the California Highway Patrol said that both the 210 and 118 freeways were open in both directions on Tuesday after being closed due to smoke and flames on Monday.However, the California Highway Patrol said that both the 210 and 118 freeways were open in both directions on Tuesday after being closed due to smoke and flames on Monday.
Conditions change hourly 'Very dangerous'
Chris Gilbert, a graphic designer from Hidden Hills told the BBC News website that the fire was about 10 miles from his home but people had already packed their bags in case of evacuation. Mr Schwarzenegger, who declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and neighbouring Ventura County, has described the situation as serious and people must be prepared to evacuate their homes at a moment's notice.
At night I can see the glow of the fires on the other side of the hill bright as day, even though they're miles away Joseph Fuhr, North Hollywood Eyewitness: 'My eyes are burning'
"The smoke is very thick in the air, and even inside the air quality seems poor, my eyes are burning. Just driving through the Valley will ensure ash accumulates on your car's windscreen quickly," he said.
Mr Schwarzenegger, who declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and neighbouring Ventura County, described the situation as serious.
He said it was critical that people be prepared to evacuate their homes at a moment's notice.
"Winds are causing fire conditions to change by the hour, which is why it is so important that residents in the areas surrounding these wildfires heed warnings from public safety officials to evacuate," he said."Winds are causing fire conditions to change by the hour, which is why it is so important that residents in the areas surrounding these wildfires heed warnings from public safety officials to evacuate," he said.
The winds are expected to get stronger over the next day and officials fear many more homes could be under threat. At night I can see the glow of the fires on the other side of the hill bright as day, even though they're miles away Joseph Fuhr, North Hollywood class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7668945.stm">Eyewitness: 'My eyes are burning' Officials fear many more homes could be under threat if the winds get stronger over the following few days.
Authorities have confirmed that more than three-dozen mobile homes have been destroyed by the Marek Fire, and 19 buildings - some of them homes - were either damaged or destroyed by the Sesnon Fire.Authorities have confirmed that more than three-dozen mobile homes have been destroyed by the Marek Fire, and 19 buildings - some of them homes - were either damaged or destroyed by the Sesnon Fire.
About 1,200 people have been evacuated from the path of the Marek Fire, officials said.About 1,200 people have been evacuated from the path of the Marek Fire, officials said.
In a gated community in the Porter Ranch district, residents were not allowed to drive in because officials wanted the roads clear for emergency vehicles.In a gated community in the Porter Ranch district, residents were not allowed to drive in because officials wanted the roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Instead they parked their cars, ran to their homes and carried out whatever they could.Instead they parked their cars, ran to their homes and carried out whatever they could.
"It's a very dangerous situation," said Los Angeles County Fire Chief P Michael Freeman as he urged residents to leave danger areas."It's a very dangerous situation," said Los Angeles County Fire Chief P Michael Freeman as he urged residents to leave danger areas.
"You may not even be able to outrun the fire if you're that close to it."
/> 		"You may not even be able to outrun the fire if you're that close to it."
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fires? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the fires? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
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