2ND LD: Wildfires force evacuation of 250,000 in S. California

(EDS: UPDATING WITH FRESH DETAILS)

Wildfires, fanned by fierce desert winds, forced the evacuation of nearly 250,000 people Monday in San Diego County, California, county officials said.

The wildfires were still raging at 14 locations in seven counties in southern California, after killing one person and injuring about 20, state officials and U.S. media said.

At least 128 houses were destroyed in San Bernardino County east of Los Angeles as the wildfires charred an area as wide as 800 square kilometers in southern California, the Associated Press and other media said.

According to the Japanese Consulate General in Los Angeles, four Japanese were among the 250,000 evacuees in San Diego County, where an estimated 7,000 Japanese live.

The evacuees reportedly include hundreds who were being moved by school bus and ambulance from a hospital and nursing homes.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties in Southern California and said at a news conference in San Diego, ''My administration is working closely with federal and local officials and will continue to assess what is needed to fight the fires in Southern California.

''Make no mistake about it: we will mobilize every resource necessary to protect lives and property affected by this disaster,'' he said.

In response to a request from the governor, the Pentagon said six aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems or MAFFS units will be dispatched to assist in fighting the fires.

''Their support will provide us with additional firefighting capabilities that will help save lives and property,'' Schwarzenegger said.