California burns as winds fan fire

MORE than 1,000 firefighters are battling to keep wildfires at bay in California amid fears as the flames are fanned by blustery winds.

Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Orange and Riverside counties as aircraft turned hillsides red with fire retardant and homeowners sprayed their houses with water from garden hoses.

More than 20,000 people have been evacuated so far. One resident Forrest Clark, 51, of Holy Jim Canyon, has been charged with arson. Meanwhile, two other major wildfires were burning more than 100 miles north of Sacramento.