Basically it (the fire) is hop-scotching from one neighborhood to another neighborhood. —Glenn Massey

Wildfires pushed by powerful winds continued to rage Monday across Southern California, forcing thousands of people from their homes and threatening thousands of residences.

Hot temperatures and strong winds were forecast through at least Tuesday. Forecasters said wind gusts could hit up to 100 mph in some areas.

Officials evacuated more than 10,000 homes in Ramona as a wildfire moved closer. The San Diego County wildfire had burned more than 8,000 acres between Ramona and Santa Ysabel. No homes have been damaged there. A shelter was opened for affected residents at Poway High School.

Also in San Diego County, a wildfire near Potrero left one person dead and 17 others injured, including four firefighters. The blaze near the Mexican border has charred more than 14,000 acres and was just 5 percent contained. Numerous structures were reported destroyed.

Shelters were opened at Steele Canyon High School and at the Campo Community Center.

As many as a dozen wildfires were reported burning from Santa Barbara County to the Mexican border. New fires continued to erupt.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties. Areas included were Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Orange and Ventura counties.

Farther north in Orange County, officials advised residents to "shelter in place" as they fought to keep a 3,800-acre blaze from burning into the city of Irvine. The fire was being whipped by strong winds of 50 mph. No homes had been destroyed as of late Sunday night.

In Los Angeles County, a fire that began near Agua Dulce exploded to 12,500 acres and spread to Canyon Country. The fire was threatening nearly 4,000 homes and about 800 homes in Canyon Country were under a mandatory evacuation order. Evacuation orders were also reported in Agua Dulce and Santa Clarita. Four people were reported injured, including one firefighter. Twenty-five structures were burned.

Some 400 firefighters were battling the blaze, with another 200 to 300 expected by Monday morning. Officials said the fire was 10 percent contained as of late Sunday night. They said the blaze was not expected to be contained for five days. Most schools in the Santa Clarita Valley were to be closed Monday.

"It is a wind driven fire," said Glenn Massey of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. "Basically it (the fire) is hop-scotching from one neighborhood to another neighborhood. We do know that the winds will come up again in the morning."

Evacuation centers were opened at Saugus High School and Golden Valley High School.

In Malibu, firefighters continued battling a 2,200-acre blaze in the upscale community. At least five homes were destroyed and nine others were damaged. The Malibu Presbyterian Church and the landmark Castle Kashan, a fortress-like hilltop home owned by philanthropist Lilly Lawrence, were both destroyed.

Other homes and businesses remained threatened. No injuries have been reported. The fire was reported at 4:50 a.m. Sunday.

Evacuation centers were set up at the Zuma Beach area, Firestone Field House and Agoura High School, fire officials said

The fire forced the temporary evacuation of students, faculty and staff at Pepperdine University. They were allowed to return to their campus residences later in the afternoon but were advised not to leave the campus. All events scheduled on campus Sunday were canceled and Monday classes also were canceled.

Classes were also canceled Monday at all Malibu public schools, including Malibu High School and Malibu Middle School.

The fire also shut down the Malibu portion of the well-traveled Pacific Coast Highway.

More than 700 firefighters, with more on the way, were battling the blaze, which the Los Angles County Fire Department said was zero percent contained as of Sunday night.

Elsewhere, a wildfire near Castaic has burned some 2,000 acres and could threaten the town of Piru in Ventura County. The fire near Interstate 5 was about 5 miles east of the town.

Evacuations were ordered in Santa Rosa Valley, Piru and Fillmore areas in Ventura County. A shelter was set up at the Fillmore Veterans Memorial Building. No injuries have been reported.