Diamond Bar, California, November 16, 2008--Armando Gastino holds his granddaughter Julianna before receiving orders to evacuate his home.

More than 40,000 people have fled the wind-fueled fires, which have damaged more than 150 homes in southern California.

So far, 2008 is shaping up to be the worst California fire season since record-keeping began, with about 1.4 million acres burned, Mt. Shasta Area Newspapers reported.