870 homes burned in SoCal fires

YORBA LINDA, Calif., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- As many as 870 homes may have been burned and 30,000 people have been evacuated as a result of three wildfires in Southern California.

Firefighters, aided by calmer winds, were making progress on two of the fires but the Triangle Complex fire in Orange County was burning out of control Sunday evening and had spread into Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Sayre Fire in the San Fernando Valley was still burning, but fire officials reported it was 40 percent contained late Sunday. Firefighters were also making headway against the Montecito Fire in Santa Barbara County.

The National Weather Service said early Sunday that a red-flag warning would remain in effect for all the mountains from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border, although the dry winds were expected to gradually subside during the course of the day.

AccuWeather.com said a high pressure system over Colorado was fueling the Santa Ana and the fire danger would remain high for the next few days.

More than 26,000 residents were evacuated and 3,500 structures were at risk from the Triangle Complex fire, the Times said. The blaze has destroyed or damaged at least 150 homes.

The fire has burned about 11,000 acres and was completely uncontained Sunday afternoon, fire officials said. LA County Fire Department spokesman James Barnes said winds were expected to die down in the area later Sunday.

The Sayre Fire destroyed 510 structures, including those at the Oakridge Mobile Home Park, the Times reported. Police said they examined the scene Sunday and determined that no one had died at the mobile home park.

Fire officials said the Tea Fire in Santa Barbara was 75 percent contained Sunday. That fire burned more than 200 residences.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties.