The fires also toppled trees, whipped up blinding dust clouds and forced a utility to cut power to thousands of customers in an effort to prevent wildfires.
At least 200 firefighters battled the Alisal fire, which had scorched 21 square miles (54 square kilometres) along coastal Santa Barbara County and was only 5% contained, county fire officials said.
SJ man severely burned, dozens of homes lost in Lathrop, Delta fires recordnet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from recordnet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.