CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for San Diego County, where at least half a dozen wildfires have forced thousands to flee burning homes.
Firefighters have been contending with temperatures approaching 100 degrees and gusty winds as they try to contain flames fueled by brush and trees left brittle by drought.
No major injuries have been reported, but two firefighters have suffered minor injuries — one heat-related and one from smoke inhalation.
The worst of the fires is in the coastal city of Carlsbad, about 30 miles north of San Diego. The city’s schools have been closed, and officials don’t expect them to reopen until next week.
Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall says the blaze consumed an eight-unit condominium complex and has damaged eight homes and two businesses.
Crews have made progress in stopping the fire’s spread. They estimate it was 10 percent contained Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, a blaze that broke out Tuesday and forced the evacuation of 20,000 homes in the Rancho Bernardo area is now 50 percent contained.
%@AP Links
253-a-11-(Dave Allen, division chief, Cal Fire, at news conference)-“contained as well”-Cal Fire Division Chief Dave Allen says crews have a long way to go in fighting some of the fires. ((watch for dating)) (14 May 2014)
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255-a-03-(San Diego County. Sheriff is William Gore, at news conference)-“strongly suggest it”-San Diego County Sheriff is William Gore says the risk of fire danger very real. ((watch for dating)) (14 May 2014)
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254-a-10-(Dave Allen, division chief, Cal Fire, at news conference)-“that’s 30 acres”-Cal Fire Division Chief Dave Allen has an update on a couple of the San Diego-area fires, including one of the fires on Camp Pendleton. ((watch for dating)) (14 May 2014)
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256-a-07-(San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, at news conference)-“on high alert”-San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob says residents should listen when told to evacuate. ((watch for dating)) (14 May 2014)
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257-a-09-(San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, at news conference)-“is most unusual”-San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob says winds are increasing the fire danger. (14 May 2014)
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APPHOTO CAJH102: A wildfire approaches homes on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in San Marcos, Calif. Flames engulfed suburban homes and shot up along canyon ridges in one of the worst of several blazes that broke out Wednesday in Southern California during a second day of a sweltering heat wave, taxing fire crews who fear the scattered fires mark only the beginning of a long wildfire season. (AP Photo/) (14 May 2014)
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APPHOTO CADIU101: Inmates from Oak Glen Fire Camp in Riverside retreat to higher ground as the flames start to move close while they work to control the fire near Oriole Court in Carlsbad, Calif., Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Thousands were asked to evacuate their homes in Carlsbad after the blaze erupted at about 10:34 a.m. Wednesday and spread through rapidly heavy brush before jumping into residential areas. (AP Photo/U-T San Diego, Hayne Palmour IV) (14 May 2014)
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APPHOTO CADIU102: Greg Saska watches the home he had grown up in, burn during a wildfire in Carlsbad, Calif., Wednesday, May 14, 2014. Thousands were asked to evacuate their homes in Carlsbad after the blaze erupted at about 10:34 a.m. Wednesday and spread through rapidly heavy brush before jumping into residential areas. (AP Photo/U-T San Diego, Hayne Palmour IV) (14 May 2014)
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APPHOTO CAGB113: A helicopter drops a fire retardant during a wildfire Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in Carlsbad, Calif. A fast-moving wildfire ignited hillsides and destroyed more than two dozen homes Wednesday in the coastal city of Carlsbad as weary firefighters scrambled to control multiple blazes in Southern California on the second day of a sweltering heat wave. (AP Photo) (14 May 2014)
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APPHOTO CAGB116: A firefighter removes debris in a burned home during a wildfire Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in Carlsbad, Calif. Flames engulfed suburban homes and shot up along canyon ridges in one of the worst of several blazes that broke out Wednesday in Southern California during a second day of a sweltering heat wave, taxing fire crews who fear the scattered fires mark only the beginning of a long wildfire season. (AP Photo) (14 May 2014)
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