There’s devastation today in Tehachapi, California as two wildfires north of Los Angeles have already burnt around 40 homes, put 150 more homes at risk, and forced the evacuation of 2,300 people. More than 26 square miles of pines and chaparral have now been affected in rural Kern County and the fires remain out of control.

On Tuesday a fire erupted south of Tehachapi which has now destroyed around 40 homes, and 150 homes are still at risk in the small community of Old West Ranch, according to Raquel Maria Dillon on The Associated Press. A sad sight in the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains was a singed piece of banister, the only piece of one home still standing. The 1,230 acre blaze is being tackled by 250 firefighters who have worked throughout the night, and water dropping aircraft are also being used.

Meanwhile in northern Kern County at the Sequoia National Forest another wildfire that began on Monday burned around 15,600 acres and 6 homes, although thankfully no more homes there were under threat by this morning. A National Weather Service senior forecaster Jeff Barlow said that although the conditions were cool and calm at the fire sites in the morning, the danger was that the winds may pick up by midday.

A state of emergency was issued for Kern County yesterday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. For more on this go to The Associated Press. Are you in any of the areas affected by the wildfires? We’d be interested in hearing your comments.