4 bodies found in migrant camp, say California fire officials

Officials in Southern California said four charred bodies were found in a migrant camp Thursday, burned by one of the wildfires near San Diego.

The bodies were found in a wooded area east of San Diego, along the border with Mexico, said a spokesman for the San Diego County medical examiner's office. Officials say they don't know when the victims died.

Earlier Thursday, two more burned bodies were found in the remains of a house near Poway, north of San Diego. Medical examinerswere trying to establish their identities, Sheriff Bill Kolender said.

So far, at least 15 fires have destroyed about 1,500 homes and razed at least 174,000 hectares since late Saturday, leading to the state's largest recorded evacuation in history.

Flames have directly claimed the life of at least one other man, 52-year-old Thomas Varshock of Tecate, and the San Diego medical examiner's office listedseven other deaths as connected to the blazes because they happened during evacuations.

The news comes as U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in San Diego on the fifth dayof the firesfor a helicopter tour of the devastation.

"There's no question, a lot of people are suffering," said Bush, flanked by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and numerous federal and local officials in the hard-hit community of Rancho Bernardo, where homes have been burned to rubble.

"It's very important for those who are wondering about their future to know that there are a lot of good citizens all across America who are praying for your future and want to stand with you."

Firefighters have gained some control over the wind-fanned blazes, some of which the FBI are probing as possible arsons. None of the four major fires was more than 40 per cent contained.

Cool, moist air blowing in from the Pacific Ocean and a drop in temperature Wednesday slowed the pace of the fires.

The scale of the disaster has prompted comparisons to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the last major disaster dealt with by the Bush government.

Bush'sresponse to the Gulf Coast storm was much criticized, and the White House has made a clear effort in California to respond quickly and efficiently to the disaster.

Schwarzenegger said Bush called him even before he could reach out to the president for help.

"I call this quick action quicker than I expected, I can tell you that," the governor said.

Earlier in the week, Bush declared a major disaster for the seven counties hit by the fires, setting in motion long-term federal recovery programs to help state and local governments, individuals and some non-profit organizations. The assistance includes direct aid for uninsured losses and help rebuilding infrastructure.

As many asone million residents are reportedly displaced, crowding into shelters, hotels and friends' homes.

In San Diego County, one of the hardest-hit areas, property damage is expected to reach at least $1 billion.

Arson suspected

FBI agents are working with local authorities to investigate fires they believewere deliberately set.

At least two of the large fires have been linked to arson the Santiago fire in Orange County and a fire in Riverside County.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the fires.

Police shot and killed a man who fled Tuesday night when officers approached to see if he was trying to set a fire in San Bernardino. The man, whose name was not released, led police on a chase, then backed his car into a police cruiser, police said.