Emergency.Blog

Summary/Update: At least Ten CA Blazes Burning

S. CALIFORNIA FIRE SUMMARY &

Wind-driven fires in California kills 1; At least Ten Blazes Burning

21:00 PDT - 21 Oct 2007

MALIBU, Calif. - Nearly a dozen wildfires driven by powerful Santa Ana winds spread across Southern California on Sunday, killing one person near San Diego, destroying several homes and a church in celebrity-laden Malibu, and forcing hundreds from their homes.

The Malibu fire was among at least 10 blazes that burned more than 35,000 acres, stretching from north of Santa Barbara to San Diego, as hot weather and hurricane-strength winds marked the height of the traditional wildfire season.

Four firefighters and at least 10 other people were injured and taken to hospitals in connection with the fire near San Diego, said Matt Streck, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry. Details on the death were not immediately available.

The blaze burned more than 14,000 acres -- or about 22 square miles -- near a highway about 70 miles southeast of San Diego, just north of the border town of Tecate, Streck said. Some of the injured were hikers, and others may be illegal immigrants, Streck said.

In northeastern Los Angeles County, a fire that started near Agua Dulce, a fire burned about 10,000 acres, or nearly 16 square miles, in just a few hours as about 250 firefighters tried to get a handle on it.

Ten buildings were destroyed, but it wasn't clear how many were homes, said county Fire Inspector Ron Haralson. Between 500 and 800 people fled the area, and three people were injured.

"There are several hundred homes in the path of this fire," Haralson said.

Meanwhile, in Malibu, about 700 firefighters worked to protect about 200 homes in several upscale communities nestled in the hills, officials said. About 1,500 people fled the fires, officials said.

The blaze, which started in Malibu Canyon, had charred at least 1,200 acres and destroyed a church and several homes, one of them a landmark castle. No residents or firefighters were injured, Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman said.

The winds carried embers across the Pacific Coast Highway, closing the popular road and setting fire to cars and trees in the parking lot of a shopping center where a supermarket, drug store and other shops were damaged. It briefly threatened Pepperdine University.

TV footage showed several buildings in flames in the area, including clusters of beach-side homes.

"This fire is zero percent contained, which means we're at the mercy of the wind," acting Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich said.

In all, five homes and two commercial buildings had been confirmed lost throughout the Malibu area, Freeman said. Nine more homes were damaged, he said.

The fire is expected to burn for another two to three days, he said. Until the blaze is extinguished, "there will literally be thousands of homes that will be threatened at one time or another," he said.

Fire crews early Sunday found downed power lines, which may have started the fire, Capt. Mike Brown said.

Late Sunday morning, palm trees bent in half and embers were carried through the air as winds gusted to 60 to 65 mph. Thick smoke obscured the sun.

-- Source: NOAKI SCHWARTZ, Associated Press/Yahoo News, can be found at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071022/ap_on_re_us/california_wildfires_50