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Wildfires blaze across California Wildfires blaze across California
(about 2 hours later)
At least one person has been killed and thousands evacuated as at least 12 wildfires rage across the US state of California, fanned by fierce winds.At least one person has been killed and thousands evacuated as at least 12 wildfires rage across the US state of California, fanned by fierce winds.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties, with 35,000 acres (14,000 hectares) burnt from Santa Barbara to San Diego.Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties, with 35,000 acres (14,000 hectares) burnt from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
In Malibu, a large blaze forced stars including film director James Cameron and Olivia Newton-John to flee.In Malibu, a large blaze forced stars including film director James Cameron and Olivia Newton-John to flee.
Officials say the ground is tinder dry after a record summer heatwave.Officials say the ground is tinder dry after a record summer heatwave.
"The wildfires have caused the loss of human life and serious injuries," Mr Schwarzenegger's office said.
I can't ever remember [evacuating the town of Ramona]. This fire is crazy Phillip BrustSan Diego sheriff's officeI can't ever remember [evacuating the town of Ramona]. This fire is crazy Phillip BrustSan Diego sheriff's office
And with forecasters predicting hurricane-force winds to continue until later in the week, thousands more homes could be at risk, says the BBC's David Willis in California.
During a long heatwave in July, wildfires scorched thousands of acres across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, South Dakota, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.During a long heatwave in July, wildfires scorched thousands of acres across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, South Dakota, Washington, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
With forecasters predicting hurricane-force winds set to continue until later in the week, thousands more homes could be at risk, says the BBC's David Willis in California. Thousands flee
'At wind's mercy' More than 1,500 firefighters are battling the blazes, including one in the town of Potrero, near San Diego.
In the town of Potrero, near San Diego, one person was killed while fighting a blaze that also 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.
The entire town of Ramona, north-east of San Diego, was ordered to evacuate, said San Diego sheriff's office spokesman Phillip Brust. It burned more than 14,000 acres (5,700 hectares) just north of the Mexican border town of Tecate, Mr Streck said.
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.
"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 Malibu, several buildings were destroyed and thousands of local residents evacuated as flames swept across the hills overlooking the ocean. In seaside Malibu, several buildings were destroyed and thousands of local residents evacuated as flames swept across the hills overlooking the ocean.
Fanned by high winds of up to 80mph (130km/h), the wildfire around Malibu had burnt about 1,250 acres (505 hectares) by mid-afternoon on Sunday, officials said. Fanned by winds of up to 80mph (130km/h), the wildfire around Malibu had burnt about 1,250 acres (505 hectares) by mid-afternoon on Sunday (2200 GMT Sunday), officials said.
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 and a Presbyterian church.Among the buildings destroyed in the town of 13,000 residents were the famous Castle Kashan and a Presbyterian church.
"This fire is 0% contained, which means we are at the mercy of the winds," Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich said. Thousands of students at nearby Pepperdine University were also evacuated.
The chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Michael Freeman, said the blaze was expected to last a couple of days and "literally thousands of homes are going to be threatened".
The coastal area is home to many celebrities including Mel Gibson, Barbara Streisand, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Dick Van Dyke, Ted Danson and David Geffen.The coastal area is home to many celebrities including Mel Gibson, Barbara Streisand, Richard Gere, Pierce Brosnan, Dick Van Dyke, Ted Danson and David Geffen.
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