Watch CBS News

Gov. Brown Declares State Of Emergency Over Wildfires, Says California Has Turned Into A 'Tinderbox'

SACRAMENTO (CBS / AP) -- Gov. Jerry Brown is declaring a state of emergency throughout California as wildfires rage in the parched state.

Brown says in a declaration issued Friday that the severe drought and extreme weather "have turned much of the state into a tinderbox."

• RELATED: Rocky Fire Spreads To 18,000 Acres, Evacuation Advisory For Parts Of Clearlake, Lower Lake

Brown's order requires all state agencies to provide assistance if needed to respond to the fires and mobilizes the California National Guard to help with disaster response.

Eighteen large fires are burning across 15 counties, mostly in the northern half of the state.

A handful of homes have been consumed by the flames and hundreds of people chased from their houses. Thousands of firefighters are fighting the blazes.

The governor already requested federal assistance for two of the largest fires.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.