Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County, part of a four-county area scorched by the Freeway Complex fire.
The fire has burned more than 28,000 acres in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties and has destroyed more than 160 homes.
Wildfires have been burning since Thursday night in Southern California, when the Tea fire erupted in Santa Barbara County.
The declaration directs state emergency workers to assist local firefighters in containing the blaze and evacuating residents.
The fire in San Bernardino County is burning into the city of Chino Hills, prompting evacuations.
