Inferno Continues, High Winds Thwart Efforts To Control California Fires

San Bernardino, Calif. (AHN) Thousands of federal, state and volunteer firefighters are spending July Fourth battling an array of California wildfires. Authorities have cautioned residents across the state to use care during holiday activities to keep barbecues under control and avoid using fireworks.

Fires are blazing east of Los Angeles in San Bernardino, where authorities have established a command center at the Earl Warren Showgrounds and are concentrating on battling the inferno from the air using helicopters. Firefighting efforts have been hindered by dense foliage, high temperatures and high winds.

By 10 p.m. Thursday more than 3,000 acres had burnt and the fire raged on unchecked. Efforts to control the fire's size were thwarted by wind gusts that peaked at around 30 mph, fanning the flames.

Bill White, a captain with the Atascadero Fire Department told the Ventura County Star that there is dense vegetation around Goleta and Anta Barbara. He said that while much of the vegetation is green, it's extremely flammable because of low fuel-moisture levels.

Although most of the fires have burnt forest areas in remote areas, residents in the San Bernardino and Las Padres National Forest areas have evacuated. More than 8,000 homes in the area could be at risk.

More than 40,000 Southern California Edison customers lost power when transmission lines were destroyed and repair crews were unable to safely make repairs.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in 11 California counties and has asked for federal assistance.