(CNN) -- Voracious wildfires in Southern California -- the worst
in a decade -- have killed 14 people, and one man who lost his home in Simi
Valley lamented, "There is nothing left."
Sheets of flame from at least 10 fires had burned more than 280,000 acres and destroyed at least 600 homes by Sunday night.
Fires blazed as far north as Simi Valley in Ventura County, east to San Bernardino County and south to San Diego County. San Diego officials said about 30 homes were burned at Scripps Ranch on Sunday night, and 150 burned in the area earlier.
Among the 14 fatalities were three people who died Saturday in San Bernardino, and 11 people who perished Sunday in San Diego County, including a couple trying to escape the fire in their car.
Some residents of San Antonio Heights, northeast of Claremont, and nearby Alta Loma -- both west of San Bernardino -- were being allowed to return to their homes, authorities said Sunday night.
Firefighters were battling winds that helped spread the flames, some of which were shooting 70 feet in the air.
Santa Ana winds were blowing at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, CNN meteorologist Orelon Sidney said. She predicted no letup in weather conditions until Tuesday.
Two fires, near Camp Pendleton in San Diego County and in Ventura County, were more than 50 percent contained, authorities said.
Several fires were deliberately set, authorities said.
In Ventura County, flames came within about a quarter-mile of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum before it was extinguished, said Police Sgt. Paul Fitzpatrick. However, another major fire continued to burn in the northeast corner of the county, he said.
At San Bernardino, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest said two fires that had merged were still a major threat after burning in San Antonio Heights and Claremont.
The Grand Prix fire had grown to 52,000 acres, destroying 60 homes, and the Old fire had grown by Sunday night to 24,000 acres and had burned 300 homes, including 25 in Crestline.
Some residents had only 15 minutes to evacuate.
A San Bernardino woman cried as she looked at the charred rubble of her home.
"[We've lost] our letters, our annuals and pictures when we were babies. It's not about the value of a washer or a Mustang. It's just about things meaning something because they are part of your life," she told CNN.
San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy expressed his sadness.
"Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes," Murphy told reporters Sunday evening. "This fire is so overwhelming, so devastating."
Murphy asked San Diego residents to conserve water to provide more for firefighters. Schools will be closed Monday, and "only the most essential services" will be operating.
After a request by the mayor, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced that the Chargers-Dolphins game scheduled for Monday night would be moved from San Diego to Tempe, Arizona. The game will be played at Sun Devil Stadium at 7 p.m. (9 p.m. ET).
Murphy said he surveyed the fire and fire damage by helicopter Sunday.
"The fire line is still extensive. The fire damage is devastating. It breaks your heart to see what this fire has done to families in San Diego."
San Diego's fire chief said the fire has destroyed at least 25,000 acres within the city limits. Pets and farm animals that owners couldn't keep were being housed at the Delmar Fairgrounds and polo grounds.
Earlier Sunday, California Gov. Gray Davis signed requests for federal emergency declarations for Los Angeles and San Diego counties, paving the way for financial aid to help residents and businesses rebuild.
Late Saturday, Davis signed declarations for San Bernardino and Ventura counties.
Flames from the Cedar fire near the upscale Ramona community came within a quarter-mile of the Federal Aviation Administration's radar facility at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station near San Diego.
Air traffic controllers transferred their responsibilities to the L.A. Center in Palmdale, but the switch delayed air travel into and out of several Southern California airports, including Los Angeles International and San Diego International.
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