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Fires on edge of California town Californians flee deadly wildfire
(about 8 hours later)
Thousands of people in California have left their homes as a wildfire threatens the town of Santa Barbara.Thousands of people in California have left their homes as a wildfire threatens the town of Santa Barbara.
The rapidly moving blaze has burned more than 500 acres, leading California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency. The rapidly-moving blaze has burned nearly 3,000 acres, leading California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency.
The fire is proving extremely difficult to bring under control, the governor said during a tour of the area.The fire is proving extremely difficult to bring under control, the governor said during a tour of the area.
Some 13,500 people have been told to evacuate as the blaze continues for a third day, edging towards the town. More than 70 homes have been damaged and some 15,000 residents evacuated as the blaze continues for a third day.
A further 3,500 homes remain threatened and thousands more residents are being told to get ready to leave, officials say.
At least 10 firefighters have been injured, three seriously, in the blaze which is being investigated as possible arson.At least 10 firefighters have been injured, three seriously, in the blaze which is being investigated as possible arson.
We really can't do any containment lines - it's too dangerous David SadeckiSanta Barbara County Fire Dept In pictures: California wildfire Readers' accounts of the fireWe really can't do any containment lines - it's too dangerous David SadeckiSanta Barbara County Fire Dept In pictures: California wildfire Readers' accounts of the fire
Santa Barbara, with its idyllic climate and lush countryside, is often referred to as the American Riviera.Santa Barbara, with its idyllic climate and lush countryside, is often referred to as the American Riviera.
Since Wednesday, the fire has moved ever nearer to the seaside town.Since Wednesday, the fire has moved ever nearer to the seaside town.
TV pictures show flames destroying several large hillside properties in the exclusive region. TV pictures have shown flames destroying several large hillside properties in the exclusive region.
US media reports say at least 20 structures have been destroyed and some 2,000 homes are threatened.
'Extreme weather''Extreme weather'
"We really can't do any containment lines. It's too dangerous," Capt David Sadecki of the Santa Barbara Fire Department told the Associated Press news agency."We really can't do any containment lines. It's too dangerous," Capt David Sadecki of the Santa Barbara Fire Department told the Associated Press news agency.
Fire fighting crews have been reinforced; there are now about 1,400 tackling the blaze, which has been fanned by record temperatures and strong winds of up to 50mph (80km/h). Firefighting crews have been reinforced, with some 2,300 firefighters tackling the blaze, which has blackened at least 2,700 acres (1,100 hectares).
A spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department said 5,430 homes were under mandatory evacuation. The flames have been fanned by record temperatures and strong winds of up to 50mph (80km/h), and fire officials are worried about unpredictable local "sundowner" gusts of wind, often seen at sunset.
The estimated number of occupants of those homes was 13,575, the Associated Press reported.
In declaring a state of emergency, Mr Schwarzenegger has released funds to pay for the fire fighting effort.In declaring a state of emergency, Mr Schwarzenegger has released funds to pay for the fire fighting effort.
Weather forecasters say after a lull, the winds are likely to pick up again, says the BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles. "This fire has been a great challenge, there's no two ways about it," he said.
"The 50mph winds, the lack of access to the terrain and the dense brush - all this creates great challenges."
Weather forecasters say that after a lull, the winds are likely to pick up again, the BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles reports.
Exhausted firefighters will be tackling this blaze well into the weekend, our correspondent says.Exhausted firefighters will be tackling this blaze well into the weekend, our correspondent says.
Are you in California? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in California? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
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