Wildfires that engulfed large areas of southern California have destroyed hundreds of homes as more than 250,000 people were told to evacuate neighbourhoods.
A home in the path of a fast moving wildfire burns out of control in Poway
At least 13 fires, whipped by Santa Ana winds blowing over the lower half of the state, set 200,000 acres on fire, killing one person and injuring more than 30 others.
With fire crews and state emergency services overwhelmed, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said 1,500 National Guard troops had been call up to help with firefighting, evacuations and crowd control.
Neighbouring states, including Nevada and Arizona, sent crews and equipment, and President George W. Bush called Mr Schwarzenegger to offer assistance in the worst-hit areas.
"This is a tragic day for San Diego County and for California," Mr Schwarzenegger said. "As you know, 250,000 people have been evacuated."
Officials have prepared a football stadium and a huge fairgrounds as shelters for thousands of evacuees by supplying them with food and water. The fires closed major state highways, schools and businesses.
Two fires that merged north of the city of San Diego and scorched 18,000 acres led authorities to order 250,000 people evacuated from an area roughly 12 square miles and containing clusters of upscale communities, ranches and country clubs.