Wildfires blaze across California

MALIBU – A California wildfire driven by powerful winds forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes in the upscale Malibu Hills and briefly threatened a university on Sunday.

Flames destroyed a church and several homes, one of them a landmark castle. To the south near San Diego, one person was killed and four firefighters injured in a separate wildfire, fire officials said.The fires were among at least six burning throughout Southern California as hot weather and heavy Santa Ana winds marked the height of traditional wildfire season.In the Malibu fire, palm trees bent in half and embers were carried through the air as wind gusted to 97 to 105 kph.Thick smoke obscured the sun.The coastal area is home to celebrities including Barbara Streisand, Mel Gibson, Ted Danson, David Geffen and Pierce Brosnan, as well as about 25 rehabilitation facilities whose guests have included Britney Spears, Ben Affleck, Charlie Sheen, Diana Ross and Matthew Perry.The blaze had charred at least 1 000 acres (400 hectares) – or more than a square mile (2,6 square kilometres) – and had jumped the Pacific Coast Highway, closing the popular road and setting fire to cars and trees in shopping centre parking lots along the route.TV footage also showed several buildings in flames in the area, including clusters of beachside homes.”This fire is zero percent contained, which means we’re at the mercy of the wind,” acting Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich said.No residents or firefighters were injured, authorities said.The fire is expected to burn for another two to three days, county Fire Chief P.Michael Freeman said.Until it is extinguished, “there will literally be thousands of homes that will be threatened at one time or another,” he said.Faculty and staff at the 830-acre (335-hectare) Pepperdine University campus were urged to evacuate, school spokesman Jerry Derloshon said.But by early afternoon the campus was ‘secure’, Freeman said.At least three homes and two commercial buildings had been confirmed destroyed, and nine other homes were damaged, Freeman said.Fire crews had found downed power lines, which may have started the blaze in Malibu Canyon, fire Captain Mike Brown said.Nampa-APTo the south near San Diego, one person was killed and four firefighters injured in a separate wildfire, fire officials said.The fires were among at least six burning throughout Southern California as hot weather and heavy Santa Ana winds marked the height of traditional wildfire season.In the Malibu fire, palm trees bent in half and embers were carried through the air as wind gusted to 97 to 105 kph.Thick smoke obscured the sun.The coastal area is home to celebrities including Barbara Streisand, Mel Gibson, Ted Danson, David Geffen and Pierce Brosnan, as well as about 25 rehabilitation facilities whose guests have included Britney Spears, Ben Affleck, Charlie Sheen, Diana Ross and Matthew Perry.The blaze had charred at least 1 000 acres (400 hectares) – or more than a square mile (2,6 square kilometres) – and had jumped the Pacific Coast Highway, closing the popular road and setting fire to cars and trees in shopping centre parking lots along the route.TV footage also showed several buildings in flames in the area, including clusters of beachside homes.”This fire is zero percent contained, which means we’re at the mercy of the wind,” acting Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich said.No residents or firefighters were injured, authorities said.The fire is expected to burn for another two to three days, county Fire Chief P.Michael Freeman said.Until it is extinguished, “there will literally be thousands of homes that will be threatened at one time or another,” he said.Faculty and staff at the 830-acre (335-hectare) Pepperdine University campus were urged to evacuate, school spokesman Jerry Derloshon said.But by early afternoon the campus was ‘secure’, Freeman said.At least three homes and two commercial buildings had been confirmed destroyed, and nine other homes were damaged, Freeman said.Fire crews had found downed power lines, which may have started the blaze in Malibu Canyon, fire Captain Mike Brown said.Nampa-AP