Wildfires blown by fierce desert winds Monday reduced hundreds of Southern California homes to ashes, forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee and laid a hellish, spidery pattern of luminous orange over the drought-stricken region.

A wind-driven wildfire that killed one person and injured 21 others in its early hours continued raging tonight in rural southeastern San Diego County, forcing scores of evacuations and causing property damage.

The American Red Cross and San Diego Blood Bank issued pleas today for blood donors to help those injured in the wildfires and to maintain an adequate supply of blood for future needs.

Due to the county's wildfires, all San Diego Unified School District schools will be closed tomorrow, along with San Diego State University; UC San Diego and the University of San Diego.

The following areas have been placed under a mandatory-evacuation order due to the continuing spread of the Witch Creek Fire, according to San Mountain Road.

What people were saying Monday about the wildfires burning across Southern California:

Two out-of-control East County wildfires combined into one today, creating an inferno that could prove more destructive than the 2003 Cedar Fire, which charred 280,278 acres and killed 15 people, officials said.

Updated 7:28 p.m.

Six aircraft capable of dropping 3,000 gallons of fire retardant were expected to be in California tomorrow to aid in the fight against the series of wildfires burning in the region, according to the governor's office.

Due to the county's wildfires, all San Diego Unified School District schools will be closed tomorrow, along with San Diego State University; UC San Diego and the University of San Diego.(read more)

Due to the ongoing wildfire emergency in the region, the Cleveland National Forest will be closed to the public until further notice, officials announced today.

A 1,000-acre wind-driven wildfire, one of about half- dozen blazes raging through San Diego County today, destroyed about 100 homes in Fallbrook and forced scores of residents to evacuate, authorities reported.

Mayor Sanders said Governor Schwarzenegger will return to Qualcomm stadium tonight to make sure San Diego residents have everything they need. Sanders said his office will coordinate with the state to ensure water, food and supplies are ample.