Wildfires continue to rage in Southern California. More than 500,000 people in San Diego County have been ordered to evacuate. Over 900 homes have already been destroyed. The fires extend from the Mexican border to Santa Barbara. The most devastating fires were in San Diego County. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: “And we have to do everything we can to help these people to get back on their feet as quickly as possible. And I think that’s why we all are here today, so that we can work together and really provide as much help as possible. But first, we have to, you know, just pray that the wind slows down, because the wind is our number one enemy right now and the dry weather. So we hope that these conditions, weather conditions, change as quickly as possible.”

At least one person has died in the fires. Another 37 people have been reported injured, including 17 firefighters. At least 5,000 people have been evacuated to the football stadium where the San Diego Chargers play. One of the evacuees, Darlene Morgan, said the fires had spread throughout her neighborhood.

Darlene Morgan: “It’s scary as heck. We have no idea what’s going on. I mean, everywhere you look, the fires are burning, and everything’s just happening really fast. So they get in your neighborhoods, and then they come through and tell you that you need to leave. So you just sit around and worry about what’s going on in your neighborhood with your family and friends.”

Many experts have linked the growing intensity of wildfires to drought and global warming.