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| Wildfires blaze across California | Wildfires blaze across California |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Wildfires burning out of control are continuing to threaten thousands of homes in the US state of California. | Wildfires burning out of control are continuing to threaten thousands of homes in the US state of California. |
| At least one person has been killed and some 250,000 people evacuated as the fires spread, fanned by fierce winds. | At least one person has been killed and some 250,000 people evacuated as the fires spread, fanned by fierce winds. |
| Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties, with 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) burnt from Santa Barbara to San Diego. | Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties, with 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) burnt from Santa Barbara to San Diego. |
| Some of the worst damage is in Malibu, where many show business stars, among them Mel Gibson and Sting, have homes. | |
| Officials say the ground is tinder-dry after a record summer heat wave. | |
| "It's a tragic time for California," said Mr Schwarzenegger, as he toured the charred shells of buildings in Malibu. | |
| See map of Malibu blazes and nearby celebrity homes | See map of Malibu blazes and nearby celebrity homes |
| With forecasters predicting that hurricane-force winds will continue until later in the week, thousands more homes could be at risk, says the BBC's David Willis in California. | With forecasters predicting that hurricane-force winds will continue until later in the week, thousands more homes could be at risk, says the BBC's David Willis in California. |
| A lot of people are going to lose their homes today Fire Captain Lisa BlakeSan Diego Your pictures: California fires Los Angeles County Zev Yaroslavsky described the combination of weather conditions and multiple fires as "a perfect firestorm". | |
| "The winds are erratic and unpredictable," he said. "There is no telling where the fires will move and when." | |
| Several new fires were reported to have broken out in San Diego County on Monday morning. | |
| Ambulances and school buses have been used to move hundreds of people from hospitals, nursing homes and prisons in the county threatened by advancing flames. Several schools were closed on Monday. | |
| San Diego Fire Captain Lisa Blake told the Associated Press news agency that the area's firefighters lacked the resources to save all the homes at risk. | |
| "We have more houses burning than we have people and engine companies to fight them," she said. "A lot of people are going to lose their homes today." | |
| More than 1,500 firefighters have been battling the blazes, including one in the town of Potrero, near San Diego. | More than 1,500 firefighters have been battling the blazes, including one in the town of Potrero, near San Diego. |
| That fire killed one person and injured four firefighters and at least 10 other people, said Matt Streck, a spokesman for California's Department of Forestry. | That fire killed one person and injured four firefighters and at least 10 other people, said Matt Streck, a spokesman for California's Department of Forestry. |
| It burned more than 14,000 acres (5,700 hectares) just north of the Mexican border town of Tecate, Mr Streck said. | It burned more than 14,000 acres (5,700 hectares) just north of the Mexican border town of Tecate, Mr Streck said. |
| Thousands flee | Thousands flee |
| All 36,000 residents of Ramona, north-east of San Diego, were ordered to leave their homes as another blaze razed more than 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares), said San Diego sheriff's office spokesman Phillip Brust. | All 36,000 residents of Ramona, north-east of San Diego, were ordered to leave their homes as another blaze razed more than 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares), said San Diego sheriff's office spokesman Phillip Brust. |
| Satellite images show the smoke from the California wildfires being blown out to seaEnlarge Image | Satellite images show the smoke from the California wildfires being blown out to seaEnlarge Image |
| "I can't ever remember doing this," Mr Brust said. "This fire is crazy." | "I can't ever remember doing this," Mr Brust said. "This fire is crazy." |
| In seaside Malibu, several buildings were destroyed and thousands of local residents evacuated on Sunday as flames swept across the hills overlooking the ocean. | |
| That fire is thought to have been caused by a power cable that ignited after being blown over in heavy wind. | 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 home and a Presbyterian church. | Among the buildings destroyed in the town of 13,000 residents were the famous Castle Kashan home and a Presbyterian church. |
| Thousands of students at nearby Pepperdine University were also evacuated. | Thousands of students at nearby Pepperdine University were also evacuated. |
| The coastal area is home to many celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Dick Van Dyke, Ted Danson, Olivia Newton-John, James Cameron and David Geffen. | The coastal area is home to many celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Dick Van Dyke, Ted Danson, Olivia Newton-John, James Cameron and David Geffen. |
| During a long heat wave in July, wildfires scorched thousands of acres across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, South Dakota, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. | |
| Return to top | Return to top |
| Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. | Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial + 44 (0) 7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial + 44 (0) 7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
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