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California wildfires rage overnight California wildfires rage overnight
(about 7 hours later)
California firefighters have continued to battle wildfires, which have scorched more than 11,000 acres and caused thousands to flee.California firefighters have continued to battle wildfires, which have scorched more than 11,000 acres and caused thousands to flee.
There were 13,000 new evacuations in San Marcos on Thursday evening.There were 13,000 new evacuations in San Marcos on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of starting two brush fires in San Diego's Escondido area.Meanwhile, two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of starting two brush fires in San Diego's Escondido area.
The pair have not been linked to the larger fires that have destroyed 18 homes, caused $20m (£12m) in damage and claimed at least one life.The pair have not been linked to the larger fires that have destroyed 18 homes, caused $20m (£12m) in damage and claimed at least one life.
A badly burned body was found in Carlsbad, about 30 miles north of San Diego, on Thursday.A badly burned body was found in Carlsbad, about 30 miles north of San Diego, on Thursday.
San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said investigators looking into what has caused so many fires since Tuesday will consider arson as a possibility.San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said investigators looking into what has caused so many fires since Tuesday will consider arson as a possibility.
Schools across the region were closed and a nuclear plant and a military base were earlier evacuated.Schools across the region were closed and a nuclear plant and a military base were earlier evacuated.
Months of drought have made California particularly prone to fire this year, and the crews managing the evacuations and battling the blazes have had to contend with sweltering heat.Months of drought have made California particularly prone to fire this year, and the crews managing the evacuations and battling the blazes have had to contend with sweltering heat.
But calmer winds on Thursday allowed aircraft - including four air tankers and 22 military helicopters - to be deployed to fight the flames.But calmer winds on Thursday allowed aircraft - including four air tankers and 22 military helicopters - to be deployed to fight the flames.
On Friday, officials said five wildfires had been entirely contained and another was 90% contained.
More than 1,000 firefighters are now turning their attention to three other major brush fires, including two on the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base.
Another large fire was threatening the San Diego suburb of San Marcos. That fire has grown to more than 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) and was only 10% contained, the state department of fire protection said.
The Legoland theme park in Carlsbad was closed due to power surges, while San Onofre nuclear power plant briefly evacuated non-essential staff as a precautionary measure.The Legoland theme park in Carlsbad was closed due to power surges, while San Onofre nuclear power plant briefly evacuated non-essential staff as a precautionary measure.
And the campus of California State University-San Marcos, with almost 10,000 students, was shut down amid the university's final exams.And the campus of California State University-San Marcos, with almost 10,000 students, was shut down amid the university's final exams.
Fires also hit the Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton, between San Diego and Los Angeles.
Carlsbad fire chief Michael Davies said such fires were unprecedented this time of year.
"This is May, this is unbelievable. This is something we should see in October," he said.
There have already been 1,400 wildfires across the state this year, twice the usual number.There have already been 1,400 wildfires across the state this year, twice the usual number.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the wildfires? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with 'wildfires' in the subject.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the wildfires? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with 'wildfires' in the subject.
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