A state of emergency in Los Angeles County

Firefighters in Los Angeles are battling wind-whipped blazes that have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of people into shelters. The fires, driven by strong Santa Ana winds, have scorched more than 4,000 hectares in half a dozen communities neighbouring the city. At least 22,600 people were ordered to evacuate but no deaths or serious injuries have been reported so far. A fifth of the Sayre fire had been contained by Saturday evening and firefighters were optimistic about reining it in as long as dry winds from the desert did not pick up again. "We're at the mercy of the wind. Mother Nature's not been too good to us for the last 15 hours." said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Another fire flared southeast of Los Angeles in Orange and Riverside counties on Saturday morning, charring 809 hectares in the communities of Yorba Linda, Brea, Anaheim and Corona. More than 100 apartments and houses were damaged or destroyed. In Anaheim, home to Disneyland, 12,600 people were ordered to evacuate, while 10,000 more were asked to leave their homes in the Sylmar area. California's fire season, which traditionally starts in June, has been lengthening and getting worse as the dry state adds homes in fringe areas prone to flames.

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ITN | November 16, 2008

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