Be 'ready to GO!' Southern California warns residents as fires rage

By Ben Gruber FARIA BEACH, Calif. (Reuters) - Fanned by gusting winds, wildfires raged in densely populated Southern California for a fourth day on Thursday, forcing 200,000 people to flee their homes with dangerous conditions forecast until Sunday. Authorities said the four major fires - ranging from Los Angeles up the Pacific coast to Santa Barbara County - were whipped up by the region's notorious westward Santa Ana winds that could reach hurricane strength. The winds, which blow in hot and dry from the California desert, could reach 75 miles per hour (120 km per hour), authorities said.

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