Winds stoke California fires

Powerful winds fanned three major southern California wildfires after destroying dozens of homes and forcing thousands to flee today.

The fires have scoured nearly 13,000 acres in suburban Los Angeles and northern San Diego County in three days, with the fiercest blazes burning in the San Fernando Valley.

More than 2,000 firefighters and a fleet of water-dropping aircraft battled the 5,000-acre Sesnon Fire, which was burning brightly and sending flames skyward in canyons on the west end of the valley.

They were also fighting the 5,300-acre Marek Fire at the north-east end.

Another 3,000 acres were scorched in Camp Pendleton, a huge San Diego County Marine base.