More than 16 wildfires have destroyed nearly 1,500 buildings and forced more than half a million people to flee their homes.
The fires are being spread by hot, dry winds, and have burned more than 165,000 hectares from Los Angeles in the north, to the Mexican border south of San Diego.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says at least 68,000 homes remain at risk, and more than 6,000 firefighters are on the front lines of the blazes. Local officials say their resources have been strained by the fires.
More than 300,000 homes in San Diego were ordered evacuated, affecting between 500,000 to 900,000 people. Thousands of residents have taken refuge at the city's football stadium.
At least five deaths have been reported, including three elderly people who died while being evacuated. At least 40 others have been injured, including at least two dozen firefighters.
President Bush has authorized federal aid for seven counties ravaged by the flames. The White House says Mr. Bush will visit the region on Thursday.
The crisis has drawn comparisons both to a deadly rash of California wildfires in 2003 and to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005. - VOA News
