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Bush to fly over California fires Bush flying over California fires
(10 minutes later)
US President George W Bush is about to fly over the area devastated by the California wildfires to see the extent of the damage for himself. US President George W Bush is flying over the area devastated by the California wildfires to see the extent of the damage for himself.
Before he left, he assured Californians the federal government would provide the resources, manpower and equipment needed to fight the raging blazes. Before he took off with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, he said the federal government would provide every help to fight the raging blazes.
Weather forecasts have raised hopes of some respite from the fires in southern California for the last four days.Weather forecasts have raised hopes of some respite from the fires in southern California for the last four days.
Experts say the Santa Ana winds that fanned the flames are starting to die.Experts say the Santa Ana winds that fanned the flames are starting to die.
But correspondents say firefighters still face a huge task in controlling the fires, as no rain is expected.But correspondents say firefighters still face a huge task in controlling the fires, as no rain is expected.
As he prepared to tour some of the hardest-hit areas in a helicopter, the US president said: "It's a sad situation out there in southern California.As he prepared to tour some of the hardest-hit areas in a helicopter, the US president said: "It's a sad situation out there in southern California.
"I fully understand the people have got a lot of anguish in their hearts, and they just need to know a lot of folks care about them.""I fully understand the people have got a lot of anguish in their hearts, and they just need to know a lot of folks care about them."
TACKLING THE FLAMES 8,000 firefighters - including a number of prison teams1,500 national guards50 helicopters55 firefighting planes Source: Office of Emergency Services In pictures: Fires blaze on A fireman's account of 'hell' Evacuees' upmarket homeTACKLING THE FLAMES 8,000 firefighters - including a number of prison teams1,500 national guards50 helicopters55 firefighting planes Source: Office of Emergency Services In pictures: Fires blaze on A fireman's account of 'hell' Evacuees' upmarket home
Mr Bush has declared a major disaster area covering seven counties in the state.Mr Bush has declared a major disaster area covering seven counties in the state.
About one million people have had to leave their homes, officials say.About one million people have had to leave their homes, officials say.
Among the worst affected areas is around San Diego, where evacuation centres are struggling to provide shelter for more than 300,000 people.Among the worst affected areas is around San Diego, where evacuation centres are struggling to provide shelter for more than 300,000 people.
San Diego police said on Thursday that two bodies had been found in the burned ruins of a house in Poway.San Diego police said on Thursday that two bodies had been found in the burned ruins of a house in Poway.
One death directly linked to the fires was reported on Sunday and authorities say there have been several other deaths during the evacuations.One death directly linked to the fires was reported on Sunday and authorities say there have been several other deaths during the evacuations.
The fires have destroyed more than 1,600 homes and the material damage is estimated to have risen to more than $1bn (£488m).The fires have destroyed more than 1,600 homes and the material damage is estimated to have risen to more than $1bn (£488m).
Police say at least one of the larger fires may have been started deliberately.Police say at least one of the larger fires may have been started deliberately.
Mixed pictureMixed picture
One arson suspect was shot dead by police after a pursuit and another was arrested, police said, although neither man has been connected with any major fire.One arson suspect was shot dead by police after a pursuit and another was arrested, police said, although neither man has been connected with any major fire.
The fires have ravaged at least 674 sq miles (1,745 sq km) of land from Santa Barbara down to the Mexican border.The fires have ravaged at least 674 sq miles (1,745 sq km) of land from Santa Barbara down to the Mexican border.
In some areas, wind speeds on Wednesday were down to 21-36 mph (34-58km/h), from highs of 100mph earlier in the week.In some areas, wind speeds on Wednesday were down to 21-36 mph (34-58km/h), from highs of 100mph earlier in the week.
Helicopters and air tankers took advantage of the weather to drop 30 to 35 loads of water on two fires that have burned hundreds of homes in the San Bernardino Mountains, near Lake Arrowhead.Helicopters and air tankers took advantage of the weather to drop 30 to 35 loads of water on two fires that have burned hundreds of homes in the San Bernardino Mountains, near Lake Arrowhead.
Several major fires were contained in Los Angeles County.Several major fires were contained in Los Angeles County.
Detailed maps of the fires Battling the inferno Readers' experiencesDetailed maps of the fires Battling the inferno Readers' experiences
Maurice Luque, spokesman for the San Diego Fire Rescue Department, told the BBC that while the crisis was easing in urban San Diego, some rural areas were still under threat.Maurice Luque, spokesman for the San Diego Fire Rescue Department, told the BBC that while the crisis was easing in urban San Diego, some rural areas were still under threat.
There were also reports that power lines connecting San Diego to the national grid were under threat.There were also reports that power lines connecting San Diego to the national grid were under threat.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the "great co-ordination" and "immediate response" of federal, state and local government agencies to the fires. Mr Schwarzenegger praised the "great co-ordination" and "immediate response" of federal, state and local government agencies to the fires.
He also thanked Mr Bush for signing the disaster declaration, which will free federal funds to help victims.He also thanked Mr Bush for signing the disaster declaration, which will free federal funds to help victims.
The Federal Emergency Management Administration (Fema) said the government had learnt lessons from the Hurricane Katrina disaster on the Gulf Coast two years ago.The Federal Emergency Management Administration (Fema) said the government had learnt lessons from the Hurricane Katrina disaster on the Gulf Coast two years ago.
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