Thousands Flee as Wildfires Menace So. California

Wildfires continue raging through Southern California Thursday, with nine blazes covering more than 14 square miles burning around the city of Carlsbad.

The governor of California has also declared a state of emergency for San Diego.

Flames have damaged or destroyed at least 30 homes and thousands have been forced to flee.

The situation forced a number of college campuses to shut down.

Officials said 21,000 evacuation notices were sent to residents and 10,000 students were evacuated from California State University San Marcos.

Meanwhile, another fire blackened 6,000 acres around the Camp Pendleton Marine base.

Record high temperatures and gusty winds unleashed several of funnels of flames called "firenadoes."

Firefighters from across the state have been trying to contain the fires.

"The wind can change and all the sudden it seems like we're safe and we're not," Marissa Gustafson, from Carlsbad, said. "We just packed up everything and we're out of there."

"I've been with this for 35 years, and this is some of the most radical firefighting I've seen," firefighter Chris Mattarollo said.

Forecasters say calmer winds on Friday may help firefighters battle the blaze.