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Malibu celebrities feel the heat Wildfires blaze across California
(about 7 hours later)
A large wildfire is raging in the Californian Pacific town of Malibu, causing devastation and threatening the homes of several wealthy celebrities. At least one person has been killed and thousands evacuated as at least 12 wildfires rage across the US state of California, fanned by fierce winds.
A number of buildings were destroyed and thousands of local residents evacuated as the flames swept across the hills overlooking the ocean. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties, with 35,000 acres (14,000 hectares) burnt from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
The homes of Mel Gibson and Barbra Streisand are in the threatened area. In Malibu, a large blaze forced stars including film director James Cameron and Olivia Newton-John to flee.
The wildfire is thought to have been caused by a power cable which ignited after being blown over in heavy wind. Officials say the ground is tinder dry after a record summer heatwave.
The ground beneath is also tinder dry after one of the driest and hottest summers on record, officials said. I can't ever remember [evacuating the town of Ramona]. This fire is crazy Phillip BrustSan Diego sheriff's office
During a long heatwave in July, wildfires scorched thousands of acres across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, South Dakota, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.During a long heatwave in July, wildfires scorched thousands of acres across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, South Dakota, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
'0% contained' With forecasters predicting hurricane-force winds set to continue until later in the week, thousands more homes could be at risk, says the BBC's David Willis in California.
Fanned by high winds of up to 80 mph (130km/h), the wildfire around Malibu had burnt about 1,250 acres (505 hectares) by mid-afternoon on Sunday, officials said. 'At wind's mercy'
Several of Malibu's beachfront homes were destroyed by the blaze In the town of Potrero, near San Diego, one person was killed while fighting a blaze that also injured four firefighters and at least 10 other people, said Matt Streck, a spokesman for California's Department of Forestry.
Among the buildings destroyed in the town, which has 13,000 residents, were the famous Castle Kashan and a Presbyterian church. No-one was reported injured. The entire town of Ramona, north-east of San Diego, was ordered to evacuate, said San Diego sheriff's office spokesman Phillip Brust.
"I can't ever remember doing this," Mr Brust said. "This fire is crazy."
In Malibu, several buildings were destroyed and thousands of local residents evacuated as flames swept across the hills overlooking the ocean.
Fanned by high winds of up to 80mph (130km/h), the wildfire around Malibu had burnt about 1,250 acres (505 hectares) by mid-afternoon on Sunday, officials said.
That fire is thought to have been caused by a power cable that ignited after being blown over in heavy wind.
Among the buildings destroyed in the town of 13,000 residents were the famous Castle Kashan and a Presbyterian church.
"This fire is 0% contained, which means we are at the mercy of the winds," Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich said."This fire is 0% contained, which means we are at the mercy of the winds," Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich said.
The chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Michael Freeman, said the blaze was expected to last a couple of days and that until it was extinguished, "literally thousands of homes are going to be threatened". The chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Michael Freeman, said the blaze was expected to last a couple of days and "literally thousands of homes are going to be threatened".
The coastal area is home to many celebrities, including Mel Gibson, Barbara Streisand, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Dick Van Dyke, Ted Danson and David Geffen. The coastal area is home to many celebrities including Mel Gibson, Barbara Streisand, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Dick Van Dyke, Ted Danson and David Geffen.
Hundreds of firefighters are currently battling the blaze and helicopters are being used to dump water on the flames.
The governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, said he was receiving regular updates on their progress and would send more rescuers if necessary.