SAN DIEGO — At least seven wildfires continue to rage out of control in San Diego County, causing thousands of residents to evacuate residential areas, and prompting many credit unions to close branches.

According to Web sites, California Coast Credit Union has closed five branches and San Diego County Credit Union has closed six branches. Cabrillo Credit Union, North Island Credit Union and San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union have closed all branches today.

Evacuated areas of San Diego County include Fallbrook, Valley Center, Escondido, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Bernardo, Solana Beach, Chula Vista, Otay Lakes and areas of San Diego city. Fires approached the city from the mountains in the east early this morning, driven by wind gusts over 50 mph. One fire destroyed homes in Rancho Bernardo this morning, heading west through the Carmel Valley and forcing evacuations as far as Interstate 5, only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean.

The winds have prevented fire crews from using helicopters or airplanes to drop water or fire retardant from the air, and the forceful Santa Ana winds are expected to continue throughout the night and tomorrow.