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LA firefighters battle wildfires LA firefighters battle wildfires
(about 1 hour later)
Two 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.
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in two counties.California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in two counties.
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 two fires have been named the Marek Fire, covering 4,700 acres (1,900 hectares) at the north-east end of the San Fernando Valley, and the Sesnon Fire covering 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) at the valley's western end. One 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, and another, called the Sesnon Fire, is covering 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) in the Porter Ranch area at the valley's western end.
Reports say another 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) is burning in Camp Pendleton, forcing the evacuation of of more than 1,400 homes at the San Diego County Marine base and nearby Oceanside.
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
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.
"It is a blowtorch we can't get in front of it," said Los Angeles County fire inspector Frank Garrido.
One of the two fatalities is believed to be a homeless man who was living in a makeshift shelter near the mountainous Angeles National forest.One of the two fatalities is believed to be a homeless man who was living in a makeshift shelter near the mountainous 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 are 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.
Conditions change hourlyConditions change hourly
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.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.
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'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."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.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.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.The winds are expected to get stronger over the next day and officials fear many more homes could be under threat.
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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