Thousands flee as fires gut California homes

Friday, May 8, 2009 at 2:13 AM Posted by Beijing News


An out-of-control wildfire raged in California on Thursday after destroying dozens of homes and forcing thousands of residents to flee, officials said.

The blaze in the upmarket coastal town of Santa Barbara, northwest of Los Angeles, exploded into life on Wednesday as powerful hot winds and record temperatures created a perfect storm of fire conditions.

More than 13,500 residents of the picturesque city had been evacuated Thursday as an army of 1,400 firefighters battled to get a grip on the 1,300-acre 526-hectare fire, which was zero percent contained.

Ten firefighters had been injured in the fire. Three were hospitalized with burns and smoke inhalation after a home they were protecting was suddenly engulfed by flames. The firefighters were in a stable condition Thursday.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency to help release resources to fight the blaze.

Schwarzenegger, who toured the area early Thursday, told reporters at a morning briefing that firefighters were hampered by terrain and the weather.

"This fire has been a great challenge, there's no two ways about it," Schwarzenegger said. "The 50 mph winds, the lack of access to the terrain and the dense brush -- all this creates great challenges."

Schwarzenegger did not give a precise figure for the number of homes destroyed saying only that "dozens and dozens" had been destroyed.

Authorities earlier said at least 20 homes had burned although that figure is expected to increase. A total of 5,400 homes had been evacuated while a further 3,500 homes were threatened, Schwarzenegger said.

As dawn broke on Thursday, firefighters got a clearer picture of the devastation caused by the fire, with hillsides reduced to an eerie moonscape of white ash and smoldering ruins.

A lull in winds gave firefighters a brief respite but authorities appealed to residents to be ready to evacuate their homes if necessary.

"Get out early -- that's our message," said Captain Dave Sadecki of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

"If you've been warned, that means pack your car. If you're told to evacuate that means put the keys in ignition and leave."

The National Weather Service has issued a high-wind warning for the region sayings winds of up to 58 miles per hour could return later Thursday and fire chiefs said they are expecting another testing day.

"Do not let your guard down," said Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Tom Franklin. "Today is a repeat weather pattern of yesterday. I can almost guarantee that this afternoon we're going to see this thing flare up again."

California is frequently hit by scorching wildfires due to its dry climate, Santa Ana winds and recent housing booms that have seen housing spread rapidly into rural and densely forested areas.

In 2007, California suffered devastation from wildfires among the worst in its history that left eight people dead, gutted 2,000 homes, displaced 640,000 people and caused one billion dollars in damage.

Last November at least 100 homes were destroyed by a wildfire in the celebrity enclave of Montecito near Santa Barbara.



Marai

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