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| Californians flee deadly wildfire | Californians flee deadly wildfire |
| (about 3 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 nearly 3,000 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. |
| More than 70 homes have been damaged and some 15,000 residents evacuated as the blaze continues for a third day. | 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. | 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 fire class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/8039846.stm">Your pictures of the blaze | |
| 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 have shown flames destroying several large hillside properties in the exclusive region. | TV pictures have shown flames destroying several large hillside properties in the exclusive region. |
| '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. |
| Firefighting crews have been reinforced, with some 2,300 firefighters tackling the blaze, which has blackened at least 2,700 acres (1,100 hectares). | Firefighting crews have been reinforced, with some 2,300 firefighters tackling the blaze, which has blackened at least 2,700 acres (1,100 hectares). |
| 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 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. |
| 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. |
| "This fire has been a great challenge, there's no two ways about it," he said. | "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." | "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. | 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. |
| You can also send us your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or if you have a large file you can upload it here. | You can also send us your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or if you have a large file you can upload it here. |
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