In the United States, a fast-moving, wind-fuelled wildfire continued to rage through the city of Ventura last evening, burning thousands of acres and leaving one dead. More than a thousand firefighters were struggling to contain the 'Thomas Fire' in southern California that has left at least one person dead and sent thousands fleeing for safety. California Governor Jerry Brown said the fire is very dangerous and spreading rapidly. He declared a state of emergency over the area.<br/><br/>The Ventura County Fire Department yesterday said more than 150 homes and businesses had already been destroyed in the fire and more than 27,000 people had been told to evacuate. Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said in a news conference that strong seasonal gusts known as the Santa Ana winds had registered speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour and the fire is pushing quickly towards the city of Ventura. He said one death had been reported.<br/><br/>The fires came just eight weeks after the deadliest and most destructive series of wildfires in state history burned through Northern California and its fabled wine country and killed 44 people dead and destroyed 8,900 homes and other buildings.