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Residents flee California fires Residents flee California fires
(40 minutes later)
Forest fires near Malibu in California have destroyed dozens of homes and forced the evacuation of 10,000 people, officials have said.Forest fires near Malibu in California have destroyed dozens of homes and forced the evacuation of 10,000 people, officials have said.
About 2,200 acres have been scorched. About 35 homes have been destroyed so far and hundreds more are threatened.About 2,200 acres have been scorched. About 35 homes have been destroyed so far and hundreds more are threatened.
Firefighters are still battling flames and two have suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown.Firefighters are still battling flames and two have suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Last month wildfires in California killed at least 14 people and forced 640,000 from their homes.Last month wildfires in California killed at least 14 people and forced 640,000 from their homes.
A total of 1,700 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blaze, said Inspector Rick Dominguez of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.A total of 1,700 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blaze, said Inspector Rick Dominguez of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
He said that the fire was directly threatening some 200 homes around Malibu but, since it was not yet under control, many more houses were being evacuated. He said the fire was directly threatening some 200 homes around Malibu but, since it was not yet under control, many more houses were being evacuated.
Strong windsStrong winds
"What we are doing right now is evacuating homes that aren't under immediate threat," he told the BBC News website."What we are doing right now is evacuating homes that aren't under immediate threat," he told the BBC News website.
Winds of up to 40mph (64km/h) were helping spread the fire, which started at around 0330 local time (1130 GMT) between Mesa Peak Mountain Way and Corral Canyon. Santa Ana winds of up to 40mph (64km/h) were helping spread the fire, which started at around 0330 local time (1130 GMT) on Saturday between Mesa Peak Mountain Way and Corral Canyon.
Fires that raged across southern California last month caused the biggest mass evacuation in the state's history and extensive environmental damage. "Waking up at 4 in the morning with the smell of smoke in your nose and the wind beating at the windows is something that we learn to live with here, but it always comes as something of a shock," Malibu Mayor Jeff Jennings said, according to the Associated Press news agency.
Winds had dropped somewhat by middle of the day but were expected to increase again by the evening, officials said.
"There's still a lot of open, active fire and there's still a lot of potential for flare-ups," Inspector Ron Haralson told the BBC.
Helicopters and aeroplanes were dropping water on the fire in efforts to bring it under control.
Fires that raged across southern California last month caused the biggest mass evacuation in the state's recent history and extensive environmental damage.
Arsonists were thought to be responsible for starting at least two of those fires.Arsonists were thought to be responsible for starting at least two of those fires.
The cost of the damage in San Diego county alone was estimated at about $1bn (£487m).


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