USA: Wildfires rage in California

As wildfires rage across California, hundreds of thousands of people are forced to flee their homes. Wildfires burned unchecked on Tuesday (October 23) in southern California, with hundreds of thousands of people forced to evacuate, at least 700 homes destroyed, and little hope for relief from the hot desert winds fanning the flames. One person has been killed and more than three dozen injured as more than a dozen fires, whipped by hot, dry Santa Ana winds gusting to 70 miles per hour (113 kph) swept unchecked from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border 230 miles (370 km) to the south. Some 200,000 acres (80,000 hectares) have been burned, overwhelming fire crews and state emergency services. The National Weather Service said "strong and damaging winds" will continue near Los Angeles through mid-afternoon, and high wind warnings may be issued for some areas on Tuesday night. In San Diego, the hot, dry winds fanning the flames were expected throughout Wednesday (October 24). In San Diego County south of Los Angeles, some 500 homes and 100 other buildings were reported burned to the ground by the Witch Fire. In the mountain communities of Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs, outside Los Angeles, some 130 homes were destroyed and fire crews fought to save others in the path of the flames. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger summoned aid from 1,500 National Guard troops, including 200 from the Mexican border, to help with firefighting, evacuations and crowd control. Some 250,000 people who had been ordered to evacuate ahead of the flames spent the night away from their homes. About 10,000 evacuees spent the night at San Diego's Qualcomm NFL football stadium that had been converted to an emergency shelter. Speaking to journalists at a visit to the Qualcomm stadium, Schwarzenegger said he was concerned that the evacuees had all the supplies they needed. "When I was here today at lunch time and we had a press conference, we looked at the fires and had a briefing here. We were concerned about making sure that all the people had everything that they need." he said. U.S. President George W. Bush early on Tuesday declared an emergency in the state and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief in the seven counties stricken by wildfires. States neighbouring California, including Nevada and Arizona, rushed in firefighting crews and equipment. Fire officials said that while the seasonal Santa Ana winds that had whipped the flames were expected to abate on Tuesday, humidity would remain low and crews were expected to fight an uphill battle in terrain made tinder-dry by a drought.

ITN Source | October 23, 2007

Tags:. .wind. .springs. .ahead. .aid. .troops