SAN FRANCISCO — Firefighters in northern California battled more than 1,000 wildfires to a stalemate by Sunday, but forecasters said dangerous conditions would not relent any time soon.
No new major fires had broken out by Sunday morning, but a “red-flag warning” — the most extreme fire danger — was still in effect for northern California until 5 a.m. today.
The blazes have scorched more than 550 square miles and destroyed more than 50 buildings, said Gregory Ren ick, state emergency-services spokesman.
A wildfire in the Los Padres National Forest has forced the closure of a scenic stretch of a coastal highway and driven away tourists.
On Saturday, President Bush issued an emergency declaration for California and ordered federal agencies to assist in firefighting efforts.
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