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California fires affect 500,000 California fires affect 500,000
(about 1 hour later)
More than 500,000 people have been ordered to evacuate parts of the US state of California being engulfed by massive wildfires. More than half a million people have been ordered to evacuate parts of the US state of California being engulfed by massive wildfires.
Fierce winds are fanning 17 fires that have scorched land stretching from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border. Fierce winds are fanning at least 16 fires that have razed land from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border.
National Guard troops and Red Cross workers have been called in to help. The fires have left one person dead and put thousands of homes at risk. The blazes have left two people dead and destroyed more than 1,200 homes and businesses, say officials.
US officials have warned the situation will get worse in the days ahead. President George W Bush will visit the state on Thursday, after declaring a state of emergency in seven counties.
On Tuesday, 5,600 firefighters were struggling to contain the flames that have already scorched up to 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares) of land and were being fuelled by hot 70mph (113kph) winds. A White House spokeswoman said Mr Bush, whose administration was accused of a sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina two years ago, wanted to "witness first-hand" the crisis.
Up to 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares) of land have been scorched - an area bigger than New York City.
Heat and windHeat and wind
"The largest driving factor of the fire is the weather," said US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. On Tuesday, 6,000 firefighters were struggling to contain the flames, which are being fuelled by hot 70mph (113km/h) winds.
He added that the heat and wind levels were not likely to abate for 24 hours. Officials have warned the heat and wind levels are not likely to abate for 24 hours.
Higher humidity, lower pressure and the possibility of rain were expected to improve firefighting conditions from Thursday, said Mr Chertoff.
He was speaking before heading to San Diego with Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) Administrator David Paulison to oversee the crisis.
About 513,000 people in San Diego County have received a mandatory evacuation order, officials said.About 513,000 people in San Diego County have received a mandatory evacuation order, officials said.
Thousands of homes are threatened across the region.
Map: Major wildfires in southern CaliforniaMap: Major wildfires in southern California
President George W Bush has declared a state of emergency in seven counties in California, authorising Fema to tackle the fires. The wildfires have so far claimed two lives - a 52-year-old man whose body was found on Sunday and an unidentified civilian who died of burns in a Santa Clarita fire, officials said.
About 1,500 National Guardsmen have been brought in to help firefighters, with more expected by the end of Tuesday. Around 40 people have been injured, including at least 18 firefighters.
Thousands of residents sought shelter at fairgrounds, schools and community centres.
The largest gathering - of up to 10,000 evacuees - was at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders told people to "stay at home, stay off the freeways" so fire crews and evacuees could keep moving.
It was like Armageddon - it looked like the end of the world Mitch MendlerSan Diego firefighter In pictures: California fires Readers' experiences Cruise worry over fires
Red Cross workers and 1,500 National Guardsmen have been brought in to help firefighters.
The coastal area is home to many celebrities, including actor Mel Gibson, rock star Sting and singer Barbra Streisand.
After visiting charred homes in Malibu, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said it was a "tragic time" for California.After visiting charred homes in Malibu, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said it was a "tragic time" for California.
It was like Armageddon - it looked like the end of the world Mitch MendlerSan Diego firefighter class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7058657.stm">In pictures: California fires class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/7056970.stm">Readers' experiences class="" href="/1/hi/entertainment/7057888.stm">Cruise worry over fires "We have... the weather conditions that are perfect for huge fires all over the state," he told reporters. "I think that the most we need now is the weather to change, because we have those really strong winds that throw the flames and send the flames to other areas and then it starts another fire and another fire," he told reporters.
"We have a lot of wind and we have dry weather, and that's the perfect storm." Landmark lost
LA county supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said emergency workers had been "stressed almost beyond the point of reason".
The ground is tinder-dry after a record summer heat wave.The ground is tinder-dry after a record summer heat wave.
In San Diego county, ambulances and school buses were used to move hundreds of people from hospitals, nursing homes and prisons threatened by advancing flames.In San Diego county, ambulances and school buses were used to move hundreds of people from hospitals, nursing homes and prisons threatened by advancing flames.
San Diego Fire Captain Lisa Blake said local firefighters lacked the resources to save all the homes at risk.San Diego Fire Captain Lisa Blake said local firefighters lacked the resources to save all the homes at risk.
Landmark lost
More than 1,500 firefighters have been battling the blazes, with more drafted in from the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture.
A fire in the town of Potrero, near San Diego, killed one person and injured at least 10 others.
Satellite images show the smoke from the California wildfires being blown out to seaEnlarge ImageSatellite images show the smoke from the California wildfires being blown out to seaEnlarge Image
One San Diego firefighter, Mitch Mendler, said: "It was like Armageddon. It looked like the end of the world."One San Diego firefighter, Mitch Mendler, said: "It was like Armageddon. It looked like the end of the world."
The fire in Malibu is thought to have been caused by a power cable that ignited after being blown over in heavy wind.The fire in Malibu 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. The coastal area is home to many celebrities, including actor Mel Gibson, rock star Sting and singer Barbra Streisand.
The emergency evoked memories of the blazes that tore through Southern California four years ago, killing 22 people and destroying more than 3,600 homes.
MAJOR WILDFIRES Situation as of 8.31 pm local time, 22 October 2007:1. Harris fire: 22,000 acres consumed, 5% contained.2. Rice fire: 1,500 acres burned in San Diego county, 50 houses destroyed3. Witch fire: 145,000 acres in San Diego County. Some 500 houses and 100 businesses destroyed. 36,000 residents in Ramona evacuated4. Buckweed fire: 35,000 acres. Mandatory evacuation order of 15,000 local residents in place.5. Magic fire: 1,200 acres burned, moving towards Ventura but not currently threatening any structures.6. Ranch fire: 41,000 acres burned, 10% contained. Local evacuation orders in place.7. Canyon fire: 3,800 acres consumed. 600 houses threatened, some 1,700 firefighters deployed.8. Slide fire: 1,500 acres burned, 20 houses destroyed and 400 threatened.9. Santiago fire: 15,200 acres burned, 30% contained. Some 3,000 houses threatened in local area.MAJOR WILDFIRES Situation as of 8.31 pm local time, 22 October 2007:1. Harris fire: 22,000 acres consumed, 5% contained.2. Rice fire: 1,500 acres burned in San Diego county, 50 houses destroyed3. Witch fire: 145,000 acres in San Diego County. Some 500 houses and 100 businesses destroyed. 36,000 residents in Ramona evacuated4. Buckweed fire: 35,000 acres. Mandatory evacuation order of 15,000 local residents in place.5. Magic fire: 1,200 acres burned, moving towards Ventura but not currently threatening any structures.6. Ranch fire: 41,000 acres burned, 10% contained. Local evacuation orders in place.7. Canyon fire: 3,800 acres consumed. 600 houses threatened, some 1,700 firefighters deployed.8. Slide fire: 1,500 acres burned, 20 houses destroyed and 400 threatened.9. Santiago fire: 15,200 acres burned, 30% contained. Some 3,000 houses threatened in local area.
Only fires which have consumed 1,000 acres or more are listed. Sources: Cal Fire, US National Interagency Fire CenterOnly fires which have consumed 1,000 acres or more are listed. Sources: Cal Fire, US National Interagency Fire Center
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