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California declares emergency
27/10/2006 20:44 - (SA)
Los Angeles - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in a part of the state struck by wildfires in which four firefighters died, said officials on Friday.
The order was given due to "high winds and fires threatening residential and commercial property", according to a statement from Schwarzenegger's office.
"The fires continue to expand and create a situation of extreme peril for the firefighters, the residents and the businesses of the county.
"The situation is beyond the capability and control of the county," it added.
The blaze was set early on Thursday by an arsonist in scrub forest east of Los Angeles, according to investigators and claimed the lives of four firefighters and left a fifth in critical condition.
Flags flying at half mast
Authorities said the fire was deliberately set in a desert region 200km east of Los Angeles, and whipped up by desert winds that later sent it shooting over a fire engine and its five-man crew.
Schwarzenegger also ordered flags at the state legislature to fly at half-mast in recognition of those killed tackling the blaze.
Early on Friday, the fire was still being stirred up by strong winds after already ravaging nearly 5 000 hectares of land.
About 1 200 firefighters were called in to tackle the blaze, which caused 700 people to be evacuated from their homes.
Local media have announced a $100 000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist, who could face murder charges.
This year has been by far the worst for wildfires in the United States since records began in 1960, with about 38 000 square kilometres of land going up in smoke so far, compared to about 35 000 hectares in 2005 - until now a record year.
- AFP
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