LOS ANGELES, California, October 22, 2007 (ENS) - More than eleven major wildfires are blazing from Los Angeles to San Diego, claiming one life and prompting California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to proclaim a state of emergency in seven counties.

The proclamation will release state funds to ensure that adequate financial resources are available to rapidly attack the fires and reimburse critical emergency response costs, the governor said.

Fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds, the fires have burned a number of homes, businesses and other structures. Residents have been evacuated in dangerous areas.

Throughout the region, more than 30,000 acres have already burned, and more areas are threatened.

The wildfires are being driven by dry conditions and winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour, making it impossible to fight the fires with helicopters, and fire officials expect these conditions to continue for several days.

Near the U.S./Mexico border, the Harris Fire started just after 9 am Sunday near the community of Potrero and already has burned more than 3,000 acres. This fire is being driven by strong 30 to 35 mph Santa Ana winds. One person has died in the Harris fire, but the victim's name and the circumstances of the death have not yet been released.

Four firefighters were injured when their engine was engulfed by flames from the Harris Fire, Cal Fire officials reported just before 2 pm. The location and time of the incident was not immediately available. Officials said the victims were flown to the University of California San Diego burn center in Hillcrest.

San Diego Gas & Electric Company reports that 379 homes are without power in the Santa Ysabel area and 12 homes in Potrero are without power. San Diego residents are closing their windows to keep out the fire's acrid smell.

Farther north, near Los Angeles, the Canyon fire at the celebrity enclave of Malibu has burned more than 2,000 acres, destroying five homes and a church and damaging several other homes. California fire officials say 600 residences and more than 200 commercial buildings are threatened by the fire.

About 200 homes have been evacuated in the communities of Malibu Colony, Puerco Canyon, Monte Nido and Sweetwater Canyon, officials said.

The Buckweed fire northeast of Los Angeles has burned 10,000 acres and is not yet contained. Two homes have been destroyed and fire officials say 3,800 residences

The Ranch Fire started Saturday night near Townsand Peak, southwest of Templin Highway and Interstate 5, in the Angeles National Forest.

The fire is burning southwest pushed by 20-30 mph winds with gusts to 60 mph. The terrain is rugged with medium to heavy chaparral brush typical of Southern California. This area has not burned for about 40 years, fire officials say. At 11am on Sunday, the eastern flank of fire became very active burning east and upslope. Smoke and flame was visible from Interstate 5. Two helitankers are dropping water and old bulldozer lines on west side of fire are being rehabbed for possible use.

Weather reports call for continued Santa Ana winds with low humidity and temperatures ranging into the 90s.

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