A wildfire continued to burn Tuesday morning in the mountains above Santa Barbara, threatening dozens of cabins and sending hikers fleeing for their lives. The fire, which erupted Monday afternoon, had drawn more than 550 firefighters and prompted the evacuation of more than 50 homes.
The fire has of tinder-dry chaparral, oak, and pine, and burned two vehicles, as well as a U.S. Forest Service garage. As of Tuesday morning, the fire was moving sideways along the mountains. Though the weather has been calm, Santa Barbara fire authorities are concerned that a wayward gust could send the fire down into the towns residential and commercial areas.
“It’s an out-of-control wildfire so it is a threat. There’s a lot of dry vegetation in its path,” said Santa Barbara County fire Captain David Sadecki. “It’s still spring it’s not even summer and it’s burning like it’s August or September.”
As of early Tuesday, the fire is only 10% contained.