9 wildfires are burning across Southern California
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Right now there are at least nine wildfires burning across Southern California. More than 9,000 acres have burned, and close to two dozens homes have been damaged.
For a third day, swirling plumes of smoke and embers and rare burning tornadoes. Around the city, fires are raging in at least nine different areas. Thousands of homes and businesses have been told to evacuate, and thousands more are without power.
The most destructive fires have swept the hills of Carlsbad and San Marcos. They've torched 9,000 acres and damaged or destroyed around two dozen homes.
Thursday, a major assault from the air, 22 military aircraft dumping on the flames and the so-called "super scooper" -- a DC-10 -- will also make runs.
And while the record heat continues, calmer winds may help.
Meanwhile, the hunt is on for the cause of the fires officials not ruling out arson.
The San Diego County sheriff says arson will be among the many possibilities investigators will look at in trying to determine what caused nine fires to break out during a two-day heat wave.
Sheriff Bill Gore said Thursday it could take months to find the causes of the blazes concentrated in the northwestern area of the county, from the coast to areas 10 to 15 miles inland. He noted that sparks from vehicles can easily ignite brush in such hot, dry and windy conditions.
The fires have caused more than $22 million in damage so far.
Local fire teams are heading south to help fire fighting efforts. Cal fire crews from Mariposa, Merced, Madera and Tulare are in L.A. County are heading to San Diego to help with the fires burning in the area.
"This is rare we're getting an early start, we've talked a lot about the drought conditions. our fire activity has almost doubled as far as the starts we're getting," said Greg Leonard, Cal Fire Engineer.
Crews said they are prepared to stay in Southern California for at least 21 days.
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ABC News, KABC-TV and the Associated Press Contributed to this report
