'Millions' still in danger as California wildfires claim first victim

An elderly woman has been named as the first fatality in the California wildfires that have forced around 200,000 to flee their homes.

Virignia Pesola, 70, of Santa Paula, was found dead along an evacuation route near a fire northwest of Los Angeles.

Her death was caused by crash injuries, smoke inhalation and burns, the medical examiner's office said in a statement.

More than 700 homes and buildings northeast of Los Angeles have already been destroyed by a series of fires, while millions of more homes remain in jeopardy.

A record 12 million people have been warned they could face dangerous fire conditions, authorities said.

The fires have prompted US President Donald Trump to declare a state of emergency over southern California.

One of the main fires has burned hundreds of thousands of hectares in Ventura County, stretching from hilly forests to the Pacific Ocean, whipped up by the Santa Ana winds, reports ITV.

Around 25 racehorses are known to have been killed and many others are missing after a wildfire swept through a training centre in north east San Diego County, reports AP.

The California Horse Racing Board says nearly 500 horses were stabled at the San Luis Rey training centre when the fire erupted amid strong Santa Ana winds on Thursday (Friday AEDT).

The board says workers risked their lives to free horses from stalls and herd them into safer areas with two trainers also hurt.

Bloodhorse.com said Martine Bellocque suffered second and third degree burns to 50 per cent of her body as she tried to rescue her horses while Joe Herrick was also hospitalised with serious burns.

When it was safe for vans to enter, surviving horses were transported to the Del Mar racetrack which is accommodating several hundred horses being cared for by staff and volunteers.