LOS ANGELES -- At least two people are dead in wildfires threatening communities near Los Angeles.

Video: Winds Whip Up Wildfires

Frantic evacuations have clogged highways. One of those killed was a motorist involved in a head-on crash on a freeway ramp as cars tried to turn around to escape the flames. The other was a man who was living in a makeshift shelter.

More than 1,000 firefighters and nine water-dropping aircraft battled the 5,300-acre Marek Fire at the northeast end of the San Fernando Valley, and the 3,000-acre Sesnon Fire in the Porter Ranch area at the west end. Winds blew up to 45 mph with gusts reaching 70 mph.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Monday for Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

"As fires burn across California, I want to commend all of the firefighters who are bravely battling these aggressive flames and the first responders who are helping their communities and fellow neighbors," Schwarzenegger said. "Winds are causing fire conditions to change by the hour, which is why it is so important that residents in the areas surrounding these wildfires heed warnings from public safety officials to evacuate."

Authorities confirmed more than three-dozen mobile homes burned at the Marek Fire and TV news helicopter crews counted about 10 homes destroyed by the Sesnon Fire. Both fires also consumed commercial sites.

A Los Angeles County fire official called it a "blowtorch we can't get in front of." Communities as far away as Malibu, 20 miles to the south, have been put on alert.

An estimated 1,200 people were evacuated due to the Marek Fire, which was just 5 percent contained.