Wildfires sweep through California
Updated on 04 July 2008
Firefighters have been battling to save more than 4,000 homes from two out-of-control wildfires burning along the California coast.
The so-called Basin Complex Fire has burned across 64,305 acres of central California coastline including the Big Sur area, since June 21 and has been further fuelled by high winds and drought-ridden wilderness areas this week.
Firefighters say they are seeing 150ft to 200f flames and have only been able to contain 5 per cent of the blazes.
Around 3,000 residences have been evacuated in and around Goleta, near Santa Barbara, and officials have said there is a serious threat to life and property.
The flames have been fast approaching transmission lines supplying power to 100,000 people on the central coast.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency for Santa Barbara county and ordered National Guard troops to provide ground support.
Mr Schwarzenegger said the forests have been plagued by disease since the mid-1990s killing many trees in the area and providing ready fuel.
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