May 23, 2013
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - Firefighters are keeping a wary eye on the winds as they try to surround the Santa Barbara, Calif., wildfire.
Forecasters say gusts have been reaching 45 mph in the Montecito hills and humidity is dropping. Wind warnings are in effect, as
temperatures climb into the 80s around the foothills.
Officials say the fire still threatens about 45 homes. Those
homes were evacuated last week and more than 100 residents have not been allowed back.
The fire is now 80 percent contained, but the forecast is
forcing crews to push their estimate for full containment to next
Wednesday.
The blaze has already blackened more than 13 square miles, destroyed 80 homes and damaged 15 others. It's also injured 29
firefighters since it started last week. Investigators say the fire
may have been caused by someone clearing brush with a power tool.
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