This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8200696.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hundreds flee Californian fires Thousands flee California fires
(about 16 hours later)
A wildfire in the Santa Cruz mountains of northern California has forced about 600 people to flee their homes. Thousands of firefighters in California are battling fast-spreading blazes that are threatening homes and livelihoods.
Authorities issued an evacuation order for the community of Bonny Doon, about 50 miles (80km) south-east of San Francisco, state fire officials said. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for two communities in the Santa Cruz mountains of northern California, and 2,400 people had to leave their homes.
Residents of the nearby community of Swanton have also been told to leave. Further south, 1,600 firefighters were tackling a blaze covering 56 square miles in northern Santa Barbara county.
The blaze, knock as the Lockheed Fire, started on Wednesday evening and has so far burned about 1,200 acres as it spreads west, authorities said. Other smaller fires were reported around the state, as winds fanned flames through tinder-dry bush land.
"It is a significant fire that is burning in a rural, inaccessible, steep terrain with vegetation that has been stressed by the drought," said Cal Fire spokeswoman Julie Hutchinson. Even if the vines don't get burned, there's a smoke taint aspect. A big fire could hurt us either way Rachel BeauregardBeauregard Vineyards
Nearly 700 firefighters were tackling the blaze in the Santa Cruz mountains as it threatened more than 1,000 homes.
The 2,000-strong population of Bonny Doon, about 50 miles (80km) south-east of San Francisco, and the 400 residents of nearby Swanton were ordered to leave their homes on Thursday.
'Significant fire'
The blaze, known as the Lockheed Fire because of its proximity to the Lockheed Martin Space Systems campus, started on Wednesday evening and has scorched some 2,800 acres.
"It is a significant fire that is burning in a rural, inaccessible, steep terrain with vegetation that has been stressed by the drought," said CalFire spokeswoman Julie Hutchinson.
"It is like having firewood in your fireplace that is dry and ready to burn.""It is like having firewood in your fireplace that is dry and ready to burn."
The fire broke out in a steep hillside area where several upmarket homes are located. About 300 firefighters are involved in the operation. But it is not just homes that are under threat. Farms and vineyards are also in the area.
A shelter for evacuees has been set up in Santa Cruz, about eight miles (13km) from Bonny Doon. "We're really nervous now," said Rachel Beauregard, who co-owns a vineyard near Bonny Doon, which is preparing for the harvest.
"Even if the vines don't get burned, there's a smoke taint aspect. A big fire could hurt us either way."
Despite the 1,600 firefighters tackling the La Brea fire in northern Santa Barbara county, the blaze was only 10% contained by Thursday morning.
Nearly 200 homes and ranches had been evacuated, but the fire has spread to nearly 26,000 acres of remote national park forest land.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Send us your comments using the form below:
i>Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.i>Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions