Wildfires Scorching Hundreds Of Square Miles

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Emergency officials say at least 14 wildfires are burning in Southern California.<br/><br/>The blazes are spread out from Malibu to near San Diego and have scorched at least 310 square

Monday, October 22nd 2007, 9:00 pm

By: News On 6

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Emergency officials say at least 14 wildfires are burning in Southern California.

The blazes are spread out from Malibu to near San Diego and have scorched at least 310 square miles.

Scores of homes and buildings have been transformed to ashes, including 128 homes east of Los Angeles at a resort in Lake Arrowhead, in the San Bernardino National Forest. A spokesman there says its crews are stretched very thin. Appeals have been made to fire departments in other states.

The flames are being whipped up by hot, fierce desert winds gusting up to 70 miles per hour. The winds are scattering embers on dry brush.

More than 265,000 people have been warned to leave their homes. More than a quarter million were told to flee in San Diego County alone.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in seven counties, opening the way for government aid.