California: Massive evacuations ordered as onslaught of fires spreads
By Tony Perry, Garrett Therolf and Mitchell Landsberg,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 23, 2007

Wind-whipped firestorms destroyed more than 700 homes and businesses in Southern California on Monday, the second day of its onslaught, and more than half a million people in San Diego County were told to evacuate their homes.

The gale-force winds turned hillside canyons into giant blowtorches from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border. Although the worst damage was around San Diego and Lake Arrowhead, dangerous fires also threatened Malibu, parts of Orange and Ventura counties, and the Agua Dulce area near Santa Clarita. the rest photo