WORLD: 10,000 flee California as fires spread

A wildfire sweeping through a forest north of Los Angeles that has killed two firefighters remains "very dangerous" after doubling in size in a day.

The blaze - part of which is pictured near La Crescenta - has spread across 134 sq miles, threatening 12,000 buildings, and is close to a mountain-top broadcasting complex that transmits Los Angeles's leading TV stations.

It broke out last Wednesday and is the largest of at least eight in California, fuelled by soaring temperatures and low humidity.

Officials said it could double again over coming days.

Mike Dietrich, of LA County Fire Department, said: "We are making progress. But it is slow and very dangerous. We have to wait for the fire to come to us."

More than 10,000 residents have fled, and some 6,600 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency.

Yesterday he visited an area near Sacramento after a new fire broke out.