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Wildfire burns homes in Santa Barbara

A Salinas Fire Department firefighter stands watch over a home as it burns in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Wednesday. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Raquel Maria Dillon Associated Press
A Salinas Fire Department firefighter stands watch over a home as it burns in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Wednesday. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Fierce winds blew a wildfire into Southern California homes Wednesday, forcing thousands of people to flee as columns of smoke rose from a scenic coastal enclave.

TV news helicopters showed homes ablaze in Santa Barbara, but the number could not immediately be determined because of thick smoke columns that scattered embers over the city and streamed out over the Pacific Ocean.

Huge mansions and humble homes alike were reduced to rubble, leaving palm trees swaying over gutted ruins.

The fire had burned 200 acres, or about one-third of a square mile, by midday when winds were calm, then was whipped by up to 50 mph gusts. By sunset, it was 500 acres – about three-fourths of a square mile – and winds were down to 25 mph, said Santa Barbara County fire Capt. David Sadecki.

More than 8,000 people were evacuated, according to a proclamation Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued in declaring a state of emergency for Santa Barbara County. He asked federal authorities to issue an assistance grant to ensure financial resources are available for firefighting.

More than 800 firefighters were on the lines, and 20 more strike teams totaling about 1,300 firefighters were requested.