Ventura (U.S.), Dec 06 (ANI): Thousands of Californians residing in north and west of Los Angeles fled their homes as two out-of-control wildfires spread rapidly overnight, fuelled by strong desert winds that hampered firefighters on Tuesday. The fire in Ventura County to the west, known as the Thomas Fire, prompted California Governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency after officials said around 27,000 people were forced to evacuate and 45,500 acres and 150 buildings were destroyed. In the San Fernando Valley to the north, the fire destroyed more than 4,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 2,500 homes and a convalescent centre north of Interstate 210.  The highway remained open even as other roads were closed.