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LOS ANGELES: Firefighters braced for more unfavorable weather conditions as they made inroads in containing two wildfires blazing north of Los Angeles that killed one person and forced thousands to flee.
More than 6,000 hectares have been scorched by twin blazes burning near San Fernando and Porter Ranch on the northern outskirts of Los Angeles, which have roared through tinder-dry countryside in 48 hours.
One person has been killed and at least 4,000 people are believed to have been evacuated, prompting California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency in the region on Monday.
On Tuesday, firefighters said the blaze in Porter Ranch had almost doubled in size, spreading to Simi Valley to the west and remained uncontained.
But a lull in the winds allowed firefighters to contain about 70 per cent of the other major fire burning 15 miles (24 kilometres) to the east near San Fernando, where some 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) and 38 mobile homes were destroyed, officials said.
The National Weather Service has predicted that the winds - packing speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (113 kph) - will abate some more on Wednesday, but that temperature will go higher with still no rain in sight.
"We're not out of the woods yet, we still have a lot to worry about in terms of winds, but the very good news is that we had very little damage when you think about it," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
"We are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us," Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said. "It depends on the winds. In this situation, wind is king. The winds could even be benevolent."
Schwarzenegger, too, pointed to the Santa Ana winds that rake the state as a key culprit fanning the flames.
"That is what makes this so dangerous," the governor said at a command center.
"We're basically getting the perfect storm. Very strong (winds), low humidity, and heat. Those are the three elements that create those kind of fires and makes them get out of control."
Across southern California, wildfires in recent days have consumed a total of 26,000 acres (about 10,000 hectares) and 64 buildings and structures, Schwarzenegger said.
Authorities say 1,200 people have been evacuated from the two fires.
The exact causes of the two fires are unknown. They are among several burning across southern California which have broken out since Sunday.
The biggest of the other fires near the US Marine Corps' sprawling Camp Pendleton base outside San Diego, was close to being brought under control. Some 1,200 hectares have gone up in flames, but evacuation orders for more than 1,000 homes have been lifted.
California is frequently hit by scorching wildfires due to its dry climate, powerful winds locally called the Santa Ana winds, and recent housing booms which have seen home building spread rapidly into rural and densely forested areas.
The latest blazes come roughly one year after devastating wildfires among the worst in California history left eight people dead, destroyed 2,000 homes, displaced 640,000 people and caused one billion dollars in damage.
In June and July this year, a series of about 2,000 fires raged across the state, scorching some 900,000 acres (3,500 square kilometres) of land, according to officials.
- AFP/yt
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