victim was killed in a collision of motorists who were trying to exit a freeway that was closed because of one of the wildfires , a fire official said . No identity or age was available for either victim . `` Winds are causing fire conditions to change by the hour , '' Schwarzenegger said in a statement released Monday . `` Several thousand acres have already burned with minimal containment and more acres are threatened . '' iReport.com : Are wildfires affecting you ? Residents downwind were warned to remain alert into the night . `` It can go from here to the ocean in a matter of two to three hours , '' said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky , The Associated Press reported . Barry said investigators have not determined a cause for either blaze . Fire officials warned that strong winds , predicted to reach more than 60 mph after 11 p.m. , could send fire roaring south down the Pacific coast near Highway 101 . Officials have shut two freeways north of Los Angeles and authorities dispatched water-dropping helicopters and more than 200 fire engines as the blaze `` started to push toward the
LOS ANGELES , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Los Angeles fire officials say they 're worried that nighttime winds could push two major wildfires , which already are blamed in two deaths , closer to pricey neighborhoods on the Pacific coast . Fire draws near homes in the Los Angeles-area community of Porter Ranch , California , on Monday . '' We are concerned about what will happen tonight when the winds pick up , '' Los Angeles Fire Chief Douglas Barry said Monday . California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Monday declared a state of emergency Monday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties because of the fires . Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman , whose district covers the area where the fire is burning , called on President Bush to issue a federal disaster declaration for the area . At least two people have died because of the blazes , which have burned 8,000 acres in the hills and mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties , fire and police officials said . One was identified as a man who died in a makeshift wood-and-cardboard shelter and appeared to be homeless . A dog 's body also was found . The other