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California fire '30% contained' California fire '30% contained'
(10 minutes later)
Fire officials in California say the wildfire that has burnt 80 homes and forced 30,000 people to flee from Santa Barbara is now 30% contained.Fire officials in California say the wildfire that has burnt 80 homes and forced 30,000 people to flee from Santa Barbara is now 30% contained.
The city's deputy fire chief credited cooler weather for the progress, but warned those conditions may not last.The city's deputy fire chief credited cooler weather for the progress, but warned those conditions may not last.
Another 23,000 residents are on evacuation alert as the blaze continues to threaten some 3,500 homes.Another 23,000 residents are on evacuation alert as the blaze continues to threaten some 3,500 homes.
The 8,600-acre (3,480ha) blaze remains a "sleeping giant" along its eastern flank, the officials said.The 8,600-acre (3,480ha) blaze remains a "sleeping giant" along its eastern flank, the officials said.
A morning fog, cooler weather and light winds on Saturday allowed fire-fighters to make progress. But officials remained on alert.A morning fog, cooler weather and light winds on Saturday allowed fire-fighters to make progress. But officials remained on alert.
"The weather tends to be a little fickle around here," said deputy fire chief Chris Hahn. "So our guard is up.""The weather tends to be a little fickle around here," said deputy fire chief Chris Hahn. "So our guard is up."
In pictures: California wildfire Readers' accounts of the fire Your pictures of the blaze
Some 4,000 fire-fighters have been brought in to battle the fast-moving fire, along with a fleet of aircraft water tankers.Some 4,000 fire-fighters have been brought in to battle the fast-moving fire, along with a fleet of aircraft water tankers.
Thirteen of them have been injured since the blaze broke out on Tuesday, including three who were hospitalised with burns and smoke inhalation.Thirteen of them have been injured since the blaze broke out on Tuesday, including three who were hospitalised with burns and smoke inhalation.
Sundowners, fierce local winds that sweep down the mountains and out to sea, have been whipping up the flames in recent days as temperatures remained high.Sundowners, fierce local winds that sweep down the mountains and out to sea, have been whipping up the flames in recent days as temperatures remained high.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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