FIREFIGHTERS struggled to get ahead of a raging wildfire that was moving dangerously close to an area of the idyllic coastal city Santa Barbara.

Powerful winds have pushed a raging wildfire to the doorstep of a wealthy US coastal city, threatening to destroy dozens more homes and leading to the evacuation of more than 20,000 people.

Strong winds were pushing a fierce wildfire above the California coastal city of Santa Barbara closer to populated areas and forced thousands more to flee their homes.