California: students evacuated as wildfires destroy homes

The smouldering ruins of a home in Carlsbad, California

Thousands of residents and students have been forced from their homes after county officials in San Diego maintained evacuation advisories.

Flames from nine fires swept over parched land close to homes and roads across the county, with thick, black smoke filling the sky.

California Governor, Jerry Brown, has declared a state of emergency, in order to free up resources to tackle the fires.

San Marcos was one of the worst affected areas on Wednesday, with a blaze leading to evacuation notices that forced 9,000 students from the California State University campus.

Grant Rapoza, 19, said: “The fire was right above campus. I could see it reaching over part of the hill, this really dark smoke. It was almost like an explosion.”

The San Marcos fire has burned 700 acres, destroying at least three buildings, with the fire still very active and moving southwards.

Another fire broke out on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base, north of San Diego, charring some 6,000 acres (2,430 hectares) by Wednesday evening. This prompted the evacuation of military housing and a naval weapons station.

In the coastal city of Carlsbad, officials said that a fire there was about 50 per cent contained, leading to some evacuation orders being lifted.

However, at least eight residences and two businesses have been burned to the ground, causing an estimated $18.5 million in damage.

Power cuts were also reported by the San Diego and Electric company, with around 2,300 customers still without electricity.

It is hoped that lighter winds and lower temperatures overnight will help firefighters retain the fires, although it is feared that the situation could worsen as temperatures soar during the daytime.