Fire Spreads Closer To Big Sur

The numbers are absolutely staggering: More than 1,700 fires burning right now in California, a half-million acres destroyed. They have also claimed the life of a volunteer firefighter who died yesterday of an apparent heart attack.

CBS News correspondent John Blackstone reports that the fire in Los Padres National Forest, now raging for almost two weeks, is getting worse, and creeping closer to the tourist town of Big Sur. Sixteen hundred firefighters are tackling the blaze, and yet it continues to grow.

The weather hasn't been helping: Overnight it has been windy, warm and dry.

After high winds pushed this out-of-control fire over the fire line, those who remained at Big Sur were ordered out.

One firefighter told CBS News that conditions were very good for fire, "and poor for firefighting."

Evacuee Jeff Baxter told CBS News, "You could see the flames on the hills, and all I can say is, it's a real eerie feeling."

The stubborn blaze, which has burned more than 100 square miles, was just one of hundreds raging around the state. On Thursday, officials reported California's first firefighter death this year - a volunteer who collapsed on the fire line in Mendocino County.

At least 20 homes have been destroyed near Big Sur since the blaze broke out June 21. The fire was only 5 percent contained by late Thursday.

Crews near the Pacific Coast Highway fought back flames from homes and historic landmarks, including the upscale Ventana Inn which was surrounded by crackling, burning brush Thursday afternoon. Several homes perched on a ridge about a quarter-mile from the inn fell victim to the fire the night before.

A total of 367 wildfires were burning Thursday across the state, most ignited by lightning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, and the U.S. Forest Service. That figure was down from a peak of roughly 1,500 fires just a few days ago.

In all, the wildfires have scorched more than 790 square miles and destroyed at least 65 structures since June 20, according to the Cal Fire.

With firefighting resources stretched thin early in the fire season, counties have been recruiting volunteer firefighters to help with smaller blazes.

Crews made progress at a separate wildfire burning nearly 130 square miles southeast of Big Sur. The blaze, also in Los Padres National Forest, was about 95 percent contained Thursday.

Meanwhile, a third wildfire in the southern extension of the Los Padres forest north of Santa Barbara forced residents to evacuate the town of Goleta as strong winds pushed flames toward homes in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. In all, authorities told residents of about 1,700 homes in several small communities to leave.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County to free up resources to fight that blaze, which has burned nearly 5 square miles (13 square kilometers) since breaking out Tuesday. It was 16 percent contained early Friday.

Meanwhile, a brush fire broke out on a ridge in the San Bernardino National Forest near Yucaipa, burning 250 acres. Fire officials said the blaze is 15 percent contained.

Officials say about 400 firefighters are battling the blaze, aided by two planes, six air tankers, one helitanker and one helicopter.

Afternoon temperatures reached 100 degrees, but cooled down at nightfall and winds were light - about 9 miles per hour.

Witnesses say the fire was sparked by a tractor hitting a truck.

In San Diego County, crews are battling a 150-acre wildfire that started on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base and has burned into the Cleveland National Forest.

Marine officials say no injuries have been reported and no structures are threatened.

The fire broke out shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday and is chewing through grass and brush. It has moved northward from the Marine base into the forest's San Mateo Canyon area.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.