US News

Schwarzenegger declares fire emergency in LA County

Aug 28, 2009, 18:42 GMT

Los Angeles - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a wildfire emergency Friday in Los Angeles County as firefighters battled two blazes that forced the evacuation of as many as 1,500 people.

The fires threatened the affluent coastal community of Rancho Palos Verdes, and residences in La Canada Flintridge, which lies in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles.

High temperatures helped the fires spread quickly but low winds overnight helped firefighters make headway in stopping the flames before they destroyed any houses.

'We were very fortunate that the head of the fire ... was stopped at the backyards of those homes,' said Los Angeles County fire chief deputy John Tripp.

More than 3,700 firefighters are battling blazes across more than 14,000 acres throughout the state, as rising temperatures and the spread of population to wilderness areas increases the risk of wildfires.



COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in US

Older Talkback

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Noomi Rapace still loves ex-husband

Noomi Rapace still loves ex-husband
Noomi Rapace still loves her ex-husband, Ola Rapace, though she admits they had an 'explosive' relationship. ... more

JLS: Cross-dressing made us respect women

JLS: Cross-dressing made us respect women
JLS claim cross-dressing made them respect women more because they are impressed with how females move around in high-heeled shoes. ... more

P Diddy tells clubbers he wants to get married

P Diddy tells clubbers he wants to get married
Rapper was guest DJing at a nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada. ... more

Kanye West insists on designer crockery

Kanye West insists on designer crockery
Rapper only uses Hermes plates and gold cutlery. ... more

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie do karaoke

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie do karaoke
Acting couple have hired a theatre company to help their family sing. ... more

Gordon Ramsay and Will Ferrell injured at soccer

Gordon Ramsay and Will Ferrell injured at soccer
World famous chef and actor leave football pitch in pain. ... more

Khloe Kardashian wants to dip niece in glitter

Khloe Kardashian wants to dip niece in glitter
'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' star has been spoiling the unborn baby with clothing. ... more

Robert Pattinson: 'I ran out of ideas with 'Twilight'

Robert Pattinson: I ran out of ideas with Twilight
Star admits he was tired of acting for a teen audience. ... more

Kelly Clarkson: 'I am not Beyonce'

Kelly Clarkson: I am not Beyonce
Original 'American Idol' winner refuses to wear uncomfortable high heels. ... more

Cynthia Nixon marries Christine Marinoni

Cynthia Nixon marries Christine Marinoni
'Sex and the City' actress tied the knot three years after getting engaged. ... more