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19:54 GMT, Friday, 14 November 2008

In pictures: US wildfire devastation

Several houses smoulder after a wildfire swept through Montecito, California

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Wildfires have wreaked destruction in Montecito, an exclusive enclave near Santa Barbara, California, forcing thousands of people to flee.

A California Department of Forestry air tanker flies over smouldering houses

A California Department of Forestry air tanker flies over smouldering houses

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Firefighters tackled raging fires overnight and at daybreak air tankers were deployed to drop water on the flames.

Firefighters tackle a burning home in Montecito, California

Firefighters tackle a burning home in Montecito, California

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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County as firefighters continued their campaign.

The remains of a home smoulder after a wildfire swept through Montecito, California

The remains of a home smoulder after a wildfire swept through Montecito, California

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Many of the homes reduced to smouldering ruins in Montecito were multi-million dollar mansions.

The remains of a home smoulder after a wildfire swept through Montecito, California

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The fast-moving fires, fanned by gusting winds, left many residents just minutes to evacuate their homes.

A firefighter wipes his face after a night of trying to save homes in Montecito, California

A firefighter wipes his face after a night of trying to save homes in Montecito, California

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Fire officials said on Friday that achieving control of the blaze was "not even in sight".

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Fire destroys California mansions (14 Nov 08 | Americas )