The latest, as of 7:30 AM today.
Southland wildfire battle rages
There are at least 12 blazes across seven counties. The Malibu fire is only 10% contained. San Diego braces for the worst.
By Tony Perry, Louis Sahagun and Michael Muskal
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
7:32 AM PDT, October 22, 2007
Wildfires continued their march through seven Southern California counties this morning, scorching more than 40,000 acres and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
At least one person was killed and about 20 injured in the blazes as hard-pressed firefighters braced for the dawn, when Santa Ana winds were expected to pick up intensity, creating deadly conditions. Winds that mellowed overnight were likely to exceed 60 mph by mid-morning, fire officials said. Red-flag conditions, indicating high winds and low humidity, were expected throughout the region.
From the Mexican border to Santa Barbara County, at least a dozen fires burned, including several new blazes in the San Diego area. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
A fire in Malibu burned more than 2,200 acres and was only 10% contained. The blaze, which destroyed at least 25 structures including homes, commercial buildings and a historic church, was lying low most of the evening in Carbon Canyon area but began to gain speed before daybreak.
The fire was pushed by winds that strengthened early today and threatened to continue east to Las Flores Canyon, a rustic community evacuated at 3 a.m.
