Half a million people including Hollywood actors and film moguls have been moved from their homes in the biggest evacuation in California's history. Firefighters conceded defeat in many areas against the wildfires that have destroyed more than 1,300 homes between north Los Angeles and the Mexican border.

Celebrities including Kelsey Grammer, the actor best known for playing the title role in the sitcom Frasier, have been obliged to grab what belongings they can carry and leave their houses in the hope that winds will not blow the flames their way.

President Bush, who will visit California tomorrow, announced this evening that he had signed a "major disaster declaration" that will guarantee federal funding to assist people affected by the fires. He said that his thoughts and prayers were with the evacuees. "Americans all across this land care deeply about them," he said. "We’re concerned about their safety. We’re concerned about their property."

He added that he was encouraged by reports that the winds fanning the flames appeared to be dying down. "I wish we could control the wind," he said.

Fire crews said they could do little more than prevent new spot fires until the Santa Ana winds subside. "These winds are so strong, we’re not trying to fight this fire, we're just trying to save the buildings," said one firefighter, Jim Gelrud.

The tentacles of the unpredictable, shifting flames have burnt across nearly 640 sq miles (1,660 sq km) – an area larger than Greater London – and left one person dead.

Grammer, one of dozens of celebrities who own property in Malibu, said that he had to keep a brave face so as not to frighten Mason, his 6-year-old daughter. "My daughter was nervous in the beginning," he said in an interview on E! entertainment channel. "I said: 'Oh, honey, it's nothing. Just relax. Come on, we're going to have some fun.' So she shined the flashlight around and we got out... We're safe. We got the dog, we got the kids."

The coastal town is also home to Mel Gibson, Cher, Tom Hanks, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Aniston, Mel Brooks and Ryan O' Neal. David Geffen, the Hollywood producer who co-founded Dreamworks with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, opened his Malibu Beach Inn to firefighters and rescue workers to use for free, Variety magazine reported.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California, said the flames were threatening 68,000 more homes. President Bush, who planned to visit the region on Thursday, has declared a federal emergency for seven counties, a move that will speed disaster-relief efforts.

The largest emergency centre in San Diego is the 60,000-seater Qualcomm Stadium, the home of the San Diego Chargers American football team, where accommodation has been set up for 10,000 fleeing residents.

Wealthy and impoverished citizens alike have made their way to the centre, where long-haired motorcyclists are mixing with retired couples from affluent areas, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"There's a lot of people hurting here," Edward Sherlock, 54, told the newspaper. "But there's a lot more helping. I can tell you there's no colour barrier to pain. This is a life-changing event. You see and hear different languages and colours here, and none of this means anything because we're all hurting or helping."

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