Bush visits California wildfires

Jul 18, 2008, 0:36 GMT

San Francisco - US President George W Bush Thursday toured areas of California devastated by wildfires over the past three weeks and was briefed by fellow Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other officials.

Bush did not speak to reporters before the briefing or the aerial tour which took him above the Trinity National Forest, one of many areas of California devastated by over 1,400 wildfires that have hit the state since June 20.

Over 3,000 square kilometers have burnt in the blazes, but thanks to heroic efforts by more than 25,000 firefighters, only 100 homes have burnt, and there has been just one reported fatality.

Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in 12 counties affected by the wildfires and has called in the California National Guard to help.

Following his fire tour Bush was set to attend a fund-raising event in the wine country of Napa Country.