California Wildfires Force Nearly 1 Million From Homes; 3 Dead

The 15 wildfires have scorched more than 400,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,600 homes, killed three people, and injured at least 70.

(SAN DIEGO, Calif) - Fire safety experts in California say as many as 900,000 residents will have to evacuate before a series of gust-driven fires complete their devastating path across the state.

The situation remains critical, fire officials say the 15 uncontained large fires have burned more than 400,000 acres. With evacuations underway, hundreds of homes and commercial buildings throughout the area have been damaged or destroyed. Hot, dry and gusty Santa Ana winds continue to be a challenge as firefighters work to contain these blazes.

The National Interagency Coordination Center says dry and windy conditions will continue in Southern California through Wednesday.

"A strong Santa Ana wind event will continue to impact the southern California mountains, valleys and coastal areas through Wednesday, with strongest winds tapering off by Tuesday afternoon."

Dry windy conditions are expected to develop over eastern and southern New Mexico into northwest Texas, and much of the East will see precipitation through Wednesday.

The fires have destroyed more than 1,600 homes, and are threating up to 68,000 more.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says some 7,000 firefighters were battling the blazes, including 2,300 inmates from California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Firefighting helicopters and planes were grounded at times yesterday by high winds.

An unidentified civilian died of burns in Santa Clarita. In the San Diego area, 52-year-old Thomas Varshock was found dead on Sunday. There are no current details on the third death.

A San Diego County official estimated damage costs from the fire is now over 1 billion dollars.

Here is the latest status update for the Southern California fires from the National Fire Information Center:

Witch (San Diego County): 145,000 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is one mile east of Ramona. Hundreds of homes and commercial building have been damaged or destroyed. Currently, 5,000 residences and 1,500 commercial properties are threatened in San Diego, Poway, Ramona, Escondido, Lakeside, Valley Center, San Marcos, and Rancho Santa Fe. Wildcat Canyon is closed. Highway 67 is closed from Poway to Ramona. For information, call (619) 590-3160.

Ranch (Angeles National Forest): 54,518 acres at 10 percent contained. This fire is seven miles north of Castaic. Evacuations continue in Chiquito Canyon, Hasley Canyon, Val Verde, Hopper Canyon and toward Filmore. Currently, 500 residences and 50 commercial properties are threatened. Three homes and four outbuildings have been destroyed. For information, call 626-574-5208 or visit the web site: inciweb.org/incident/1002. Buckweed (Los Angeles County): 37,812 acres at 27 percent contained. This fire is 14 miles west of Palmdale. A mandatory evacuation of 15,000 residents remains in effect. More than 55,000 homes in the communities of Santa Clarita, Castaic, Leona Valley, Green Valley, Acton, Agua Dulce, Bouquet Reservoir and Mint Canyon are threatened. For information, call (323) 881-2411.

Harris (San Diego County): 70,000 acres at five percent contained. This fire is two miles southeast of Potrero. At least 200 homes have been destroyed in this fire - more than 50 were in Deerhorn Valley and Honey Springs. Citizens are sheltered at Fire Station 66. Two thousand homes and 500 commercial properties are threatened. More than 3,000 people have been evacuated in the area of Harris Ranch Road and Otay Lake Road. For information, call (619) 590-3160.

Santiago (Orange County): 7,865 acres at 30 percent contained. This fire is 12 miles east of Santa Ana. Highway 241 is closed from Santiago Canyon to Highway 133. Portola Parkway and portions of Jamboree Road in Irvine are closed. 3,500 homes and 150 commercial properties are threatened in the communities of Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Modjeska, and Silverado Canyon. For information, call 714-573-6200.

Canyon (Los Angeles County): 3,800 acres at eight percent contained. This fire is two miles north of Malibu. Mandatory evacuations were implemented in the following areas: Monte Nido, Malibu Colony, Malibu Rd., Sweetwater Canyon, Carbon Canyon, Carbon Mesa, Rambla Pacifica, Big Rock, Topanga Canyon, Powder Ranch Rd. and Monte Vista Dr. Currently, 600 residences, 200 commercial buildings, and 100 outbuildings are threatened. Residents from 500 homes have been evacuated. For information, call (323) 881-2411. NEW Rice (Los Angles County FD): 6,100 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is seven miles east of Fallbrook. Right now, 2,500 homes are threatened. The town of Fallbrook has been evacuated. Camp Pendleton and Oceanside are threatened. Hundreds of homes and commercial buildings have been damaged or destroyed. For information, call (619) 590-3160. NEW Magic (Los Angeles County FD): 1,200 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is three miles west of Santa Clarita. Nine hundred homes are threatened in the Santa Clarita and Simi Valley areas. Transportation and oil infrastructres are threatened. For information, call (323) 881-2411.

NEW Poomacha (Monte Vista Unit, Cal Fire): 1,000 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is seven miles east of Pauma Valley. Evacuations are in effect along the Highway 76 Corridor. For information, call (619) 590-3160.

Coronado Hills (San Diego County): 300 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is two miles south of San Marcos. No other information was provided. McCoy (Cleveland National Forest): 300 acres at 50 percent contained. This fire is four miles southwest of Julian. For information, call (619) 590-3160. Grass Valley (San Bernardino National Forest): 300 acres at an unknown percent contained. This fire is north of Lake Arrowhead. For information, call 909-383-5688 or visit the web site: inciweb.org/incident/1003/

Roca (Riverside County, California Department of Forestry): This fire was contained at 269 acres.

Sedgewick (Los Padres National Forest): This fire was contained at 710 acres.