EXTRA: Pentagon mobilizes in fight against California fires

The US military has activated hundreds of reservists and was sending planes and helicopters to California to help combat some of the most devastating fires in the state's history.

Six C-130 Cargo planes and 11 military helicopters were en route or had already arrived to join the state and local effort to counter the massive blazes that have engulfed the landscape between San Diego and Los Angeles, Assistant Secretary Paul McHale said.

More than 1,500 National Guardsman have been brought to active duty and placed under the command of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to help firefighting. There are an additional 500 Marines at Camp Pendleton ready to act, McHale said. dpa mm aw