Oct 13, 2008 4:48 pm US/Pacific
Gov. Declares State Of Emergency In Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES
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Alex Calder was over the blaze in Chopper 2.
CBS/CBS
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Monday for Los Angeles and Ventura counties as more than 8,000 acres burned, more than 40 homes were destroyed and at least two deaths were attributed to the blazes.
The Governor promised to free up state funds in an effort to help battle the deadly fires.
"As fires burn across California, I want to commend all of the firefighters who are bravely battling these aggressive flames and the first responders who are helping their communities and fellow neighbors," Schwarzenegger said. "Winds are causing fire conditions to change by the hour, which is why it is so important that residents in the areas surrounding these wildfires heed warnings from public safety officials to evacuate."
The governor's Office of Emergency Services activated its State Operations Center in Sacramento, and Schwarzenegger authorized state agencies to work with local officials.
The Marek fire, which broke out in the Angeles National Forest early Sunday, had burned more than 5,000 acres by late today. The Sesnon fire, which broke out north of Porter Ranch around 10:30 a.m. Monday, quickly raced across more than 3,000 acres.
A homeless man and his dog were killed when flames from the Marek fire
swept over a makeshift shelter near the Ronald Reagan (118) and Foothill (210) freeways.
Another fatality was reported when a tow truck and vehicle collided on the 118.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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