10/23/2007
Wildfires blown by fierce desert winds forced hundreds of thousands of people in Southern California to flee, reduced hundreds of homes to ashes, and laid a hellish pattern of luminous orange over the drought-stricken region.
One person was reported killed; at least 16 firefighters were injured. More than 265,000 people were warned to leave their homes. “It was nuclear winter. It was like Armageddon. It looked like the end of the world,” Mitch Mendler, a San Diego firefighter, said.
In all, more than 600 homes were destroyed, including at least 133 in one mountain resort community. Thousands more homes were threatened across the region. Firefighters, who lost valuable time trying to persuade stubborn homeowners to evacuate, struggled as winds gusting to 70 mph (112 kph) scattered embers onto dry brush, spawning more fires.
California officials pleaded for help from fire departments in other states. “A lot of people are going to lose their homes today,” San Diego Fire Capt. Lisa Blake said earlier.
At least 14 fires were burning, said Patti Roberts, spokeswoman for the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in the seven affected counties, opening the way for government aid.
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