30,000 Flee Raging Fires

Nearly 30,000 people have fled three massive fires scorching thousands of acres from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, reports the Los Angeles Times. Hundreds of homes have been gutted in three days of blazes fueled by raging Santa Ana winds that firefighters are struggling mightily to contain. Major freeways were closed, complicating escape for hundreds of residents.

Controlling the blazes was made even more difficult yesterday by low humidity and temperatures that hit a record high of 93 in LA. "The embers are falling miles ahead of the fire front," said an Orange County fire battalion chief. "That's what's creating a lot of the problems—and the wind is a challenge." Another firefighter said : "This is horrendous. Nothing has been as devastating in Orange County as this. (More California stories.)