USA: Wildfires continue their destruction in Southern California

Firefighters work to get Malibu wildfires contained. Firefighters are hoping to get the Malibu wildfire contained by 50 percent on Sunday (November 25). A wildfire fuelled by gusty winds destroyed dozens of homes from the mountains to the beaches of Southern California's ritzy Malibu on Saturday (November 24). The second fire in a little over a month to hit this seaside enclave hugging the Pacific Ocean, popular with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, has blackened 4,500 acres (1,821 hectares) and forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate, Los Angeles County fire officials said. Forty-nine homes in the canyons of central Malibu were destroyed and as many as 200 homes were at risk, causing thousands to evacuate. One resident who lost his house described the experience. "It's kind of like a funeral, you know, it's like losing a friend," he said. State officials this week pre-positioned hundreds of fire fighters, aircraft and supporting fire gear across Southern California after forecasters predicted optimal fire conditions this weekend, fuelled by Santa Ana winds that by early Saturday gusted up to 60 mph (96 kph).

ITN Source | November 26, 2007

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