Strong winds boost strength of Californian wildfire

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.

The fire’s increasing strength prompted officials to order 6,000 more people to evacuate their homes last night, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said. That pushed the total number of evacuated residents to about 18,000.

The blaze was approaching homes in the city’s more populated, flat area below its steep canyons. Santa Barbara city fire spokesman Gary Pitney said flames jumped a road dividing the hilly terrain from the flatlands below and ignited spot fires in brush surrounding houses.

Pitney said the fire also pushed west across a state highway that is the key thoroughfare between Santa Barbara and wine country to the north.

Officials opened a second evacuation shelter to accommodate 900 additional people. All 190 beds were filled at the first shelter at a high school.

The seasonal wildfires that menace the idyllic city – home to screen stars, former presidents and chat-show host Oprah Winfrey – roared to life earlier in the year than usual but their ferocity is familiar.

By day’s end, state officials said the fire grew to roughly four square miles. Firefighters had been on alert for a predicted return of a “Sundowner” - fierce winds that late in the day can sweep down from the Santa Ynez Mountains towering close behind Santa Barbara.

The city’s location on the state’s central coast gives it some of the best weather in the world, with temperatures routinely topping out in the 20s Celsius, and views of the Pacific Ocean.

But the geography that gives it beauty and a serene atmosphere also brings danger.

In November, a wind-driven fire burned 200 houses in Santa Barbara and Montecito, including the home of actor Christopher Lloyd. Winfrey’s estate escaped, along with the home of actor Rob Lowe, among many celebrities who have homes in the area.