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Big Sur Evacuated as Fires Rage

680 square miles scorched by wildfires

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 3, 2008 3:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – California residents have been ordered to evacuate the coastal resort Big Sur as wildfires rage in the hills above the town, USA Today reports. Ash rained on people as they packed cars before fleeing to safety. The Big Sur blaze is one of more than 1,100 wildfires in the state, mostly ignited by lightning, that have charred 680 square miles and destroyed 60 homes.

"The fire is just a big raging animal right now," said a spokesman for the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged residents to heed evacuation orders. "It's tough to move out of your home—but do it," he said.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Fires burn downhill towards the Big Sur Center on Highway 1 as a part of the Basin Complex Fire in Big Sur. (AP Photo/Phil Klein)

Fire burns on a hillside in Big Sur, Calif. (AP Photo/Phil Klein)

Fire crews from a joint task force from Nebraska, Colorado, Oregon and Kansas, are engufed by smoke from a wildfire south of Big Sur. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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Fast Moving California Fires Worry Residents:PlusFast Moving California Fires Worry ResidentsFast Moving California Fires Worry ResidentsThe Associated PressNew evacuations were ordered as wildfire expands into the mountains along the California coast. But as AP Correspondent Haven Daley reports, some are staying behind and relying on their religious faith. (July 1)(Big Sur, CA)Monk gives tour of monastery saying: "We'd say the mass here then all the monks would come in to receive communion."MOST OF THE MONKS... (AssociatedPress)

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Big Sur Evacuated as Fires Rage