Outlook Grim for Calif. Fire as Winds Continue

(NEWSER) - Thanks to cooler, more humid weather and a drop-off in damaging winds, thousands of Santa Barbara wildfire evacuees are being allowed back home, the Los Angeles Times reports. Firefighters fought back the fire significantly last night, containing the 8,700-acre Jesusita blaze in Santa Barbara by 30%. Most of the 30,500 residents ordered to flee over the past few days will return to their houses in phases this afternoon. More»

Firefighters unable to get blaze under control as 30,000 evacuate

(NEWSER) - Early-morning winds kicked up the uncontrolled Jesusita fire in the hills of Santa Barbara, causing the evacuation of thousands more residents, reports the Los Angeles Times. The fire has now burned more than 2,800 acres, destroyed dozens of homes, and forced 30,000 people to evacuate. Gov. Schwarzenegger has declared an emergency, saying, “We are 100% behind the people of Santa Barbara.” More»

(NEWSER) - 13,575 people have fled their homes as a wildfire that has consumed 1,300 acres rages in Santa Barbara, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reports. Another 13,000 are on alert, Bloomberg adds. Officials are unsure how many homes have been destroyed, but it’s in the “dozens.” “Today is another day of concern,” a fireman said. “It could be a mirror image of yesterday,” when high winds caused the blaze to spread. More»

Santa Barbara under state of emergency as wildfires scorch hillsides

(NEWSER) - Raging wildfires in the hills above Santa Barbara have destroyed at least 20 homes and are threatening many more, reports the Los Angeles Times. Some 900 firefighters are battling the wind-driven fires, but are hampered by poor access to the area. Three were hospitalized with burns after flames engulfed their truck. More»

Wind could pick up later today

(AP) - Helicopters dropping water during the night and calmer wind this morning are helping crews hold back a wildfire that has forced the evacuation of 1,200 California homes. An early start to the state's annual wildfire siege, the fire has burned 196 acres of brush and threatened some 2,000 homes north of Santa Barbara. The fire has stabilized, but winds could pick up later today. More»