Firefighters brace for second week of California wildfires

LOS ANGELES (AP) — As Southern California enters its second week  engulfed in flames, fire officials anticipate more growth and danger due  to continued strong wind gusts, no rain and decades-old dry vegetation.

A powerful flare-up on the western edge of the largest and most  destructive wildfire sent residents fleeing Sunday, as wind-fanned  flames ripped down hillsides toward coastal towns northwest of Los  Angeles. New evacuations were ordered as the fire sent up an enormous  plume near Montecito and Carpinteria, seaside areas in Santa Barbara  County.

“The winds are kind of squirrely right now,” said county fire  spokesman Mike Eliason. “Some places the smoke is going straight up in  the air, and others it’s blowing sideways. Depends on what canyon we’re  in.”

Southern California’s gusty Santa Ana winds have long contributed to  some of the region’s most disastrous wildfires. They blow from the  inland toward the Pacific Ocean, speeding up as they squeeze through  mountain passes and canyons.

Gusts of up to 40 mph (64 kph) are expected through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Containment increased Sunday on other major blazes in Los Angeles,  Riverside and San Diego counties. Resources from those fires were  diverted to the Santa Barbara foothills to combat the 270-square-mile  (699-sq. kilometer) fire that started Dec. 4 in neighboring Ventura  County.

As of late Sunday, the Thomas Fire had destroyed 790 structures and damaged 191.

Full story from 24 Hour News  


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