BIG SUR, Calif. - President Bush has issued an emergency declaration for California and ordered federal agencies to help firefighting efforts in the state.
One of the biggest blazes has charred nearly 108 square kilometres in the Los Padres National Forest and destroyed 16 homes in the Big Sur area.
A lightning storm last week is being blamed for more than a thousand wildfires.
Some 11-thousand firefighters from 41 states are battling the Northern California blazes.
California authorities have closed a roughly 20-kilometre stretch of the scenic, Pacific Coast Highway near Big Sur because of a massive wildfire.
The road closure has cut off access to several popular tourist spots.
Governor Schwarzenegger is asking Washington to free up more aid.
There are a dozen wildfires in Colorado. One has driven about 100 people from their homes in an area 200 kilometres southwest of Denver.
A wildfire in the central New Mexico's Manzano Mountains has now charred more than 20 square kilometres. It's said to be 35-per cent contained, with about 400 people still out of their homes.
