Californians flee as fire rages

SAN DIEGO – The wind-fueled fires that have burned more than 700 homes and chased away 265 000 residents may be only the start of the destruction in Southern California, where yesdteray’s forecast called for hotter temperatures and more explosive gusts.

The blazes bedeviled firefighters as walls of flame whipped from mountain passes to the edges of the state’s celebrated coastline, spreading so quickly that even hotels serving as temporary shelters for evacuees had to be evacuated. Wanda Tomkinson, 79, fled the Doubletree hotel in Del Mar with her husband and their Boston Terrier after employees called each room to tell customers they had to leave.The couple, carrying medication, clothes, tax records and a dog bowl, said they were relying on a family friend to take them in.If not, Tomkinson added, ‘the Lord’ll take care of us’.With some 245 957 acres (99 537 hectares) ablaze, President George W Bush declared a federal emergency for seven Southern California counties, a move that will speed disaster-relief efforts.The wildfires claimed one life, in San Diego County, and injured 42.At least 16 of the injured were firefighters.Fire crews and fleeing residents described desperate conditions that were sure to get worse.Temperatures across Southern California were about above average and were expected to approach 100 degrees yesterday in Orange and San Diego counties.The fires were exploding and shooting embers in all directions, preventing crews from forming traditional fire lines and severely limiting aerial bombardment, he said.”Lifesaving is our priority.Getting people out from in front of the fire _ those have been our priorities,” said Capt.Don Camp, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.Thousands of residents sought shelter at fairgrounds, schools and community centers.The largest gathering was at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, where evacuees anxiously watched the stadium’s television sets, hoping for a glimpse of their neighborhood on the local news.At least 250 000 residents in San Diego County alone were ordered to evacuate.Nampa-APWanda Tomkinson, 79, fled the Doubletree hotel in Del Mar with her husband and their Boston Terrier after employees called each room to tell customers they had to leave.The couple, carrying medication, clothes, tax records and a dog bowl, said they were relying on a family friend to take them in.If not, Tomkinson added, ‘the Lord’ll take care of us’.With some 245 957 acres (99 537 hectares) ablaze, President George W Bush declared a federal emergency for seven Southern California counties, a move that will speed disaster-relief efforts.The wildfires claimed one life, in San Diego County, and injured 42.At least 16 of the injured were firefighters.Fire crews and fleeing residents described desperate conditions that were sure to get worse.Temperatures across Southern California were about above average and were expected to approach 100 degrees yesterday in Orange and San Diego counties.The fires were exploding and shooting embers in all directions, preventing crews from forming traditional fire lines and severely limiting aerial bombardment, he said.”Lifesaving is our priority.Getting people out from in front of the fire _ those have been our priorities,” said Capt.Don Camp, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.Thousands of residents sought shelter at fairgrounds, schools and community centers.The largest gathering was at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, where evacuees anxiously watched the stadium’s television sets, hoping for a glimpse of their neighborhood on the local news.At least 250 000 residents in San Diego County alone were ordered to evacuate.Nampa-AP