Parched California scorched by multiple wildfires DAVENPORT, Calif. - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged residents to heed mandatory evacuation orders Saturday as 6,800 firefighters battled to control nearly a dozen blazes across the parched state. Wildfires spread as California declares emergency DAVENPORT, Calif. - Strong winds are spreading multiple wildfires across parched parts of California as officials worry the gusts could ignite more blazes and force more evacuations in areas already under a state of emergency. Calif. firefighters wrestle with dozens of blazes SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Thunderstorms sparked as many as 75 wildfires in a wilderness area in far Northern California on Saturday as officials farther south got close to containing a blaze that destroyed several homes and forced thousands to evacuate.