Emergency declared as wildfires rage near Los Angeles; thousands flee

By Mike BlakeVENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (Reuters) - Thousands of Californians north and west of Los Angeles fled their homes as two out-of-control wildfires spread rapidly overnight, fueled by strong desert winds that hampered firefighters, officials said on Tuesday.The fire in Ventura County to the west, known as the Thomas Fire, prompted California Governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency after officials said 27,000 people were forced to evacuate and 45,500 acres and 150 buildings were