By Andrew Hay
(Reuters) – Southern California wildfires have burned mountain homes, torn through a ski resort and prompted the evacuation of thousands from their homes in suburbs east of Los Angeles.
Houses were destroyed in the village of Wrightwood and flames swept through the nearby Mountain High ski resort, as the Bridge Fire in San Bernardino County exploded to over 47,000 acres (19,000 hectares), becoming the largest of four blazes in the area.
The Airport fire in Orange and Riverside counties grew to 22,000 acres, burning homes in El Cariso Village, according to authorities and local news reports.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and said he had secured federal funds to fight the Airport Fire.
Tinder-dry scrub and gusting winds are fueling the fires during a severe heatwave that climate scientists blame on global warming. Over a dozen injuries have been reported.
People taped gaps around their doors and schools closed in at least 10 districts because of smoky air from another blaze in San Bernardino County, the Line Fire.