Santa Barbara wildfire expands, more losses

Please pray for the people in the fire's path but say a special prayer for the firefighters trying to stop it.

More than 2,300 firefighters were on the scene along with 246 engines, 14 air tankers and 15 helicopters. A DC-10 jumbo jet tanker capable of dumping huge loads of retardant began making runs on the fire Friday afternoon.

Santa Barbara wildfire expands, more losses
By RAQUEL MARIA DILLON, Associated Press Writer

Friday, May 8, 2009

(05-08) 14:13 PDT Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP) --

A wildfire raging along mountain slopes burned more houses Friday as it expanded along a five-mile front above normally serene coastal communities where more than 30,000 people have been forced from their homes.

Authorities warned another 23,000 people to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Columns of smoke boiled off the Santa Ynez Mountains after a fierce overnight battle as the 4-day-old, 3,500-acre blaze repeated its pattern of relative calm in daylight and explosive behavior when winds arrive in the evenings.

"Literally last night, all hell broke loose," Santa Barbara Fire Chief Andrew DiMizio said Friday morning, recounting firefighters' efforts to put out roof fires and keep flames out of the city proper.

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Santa Barbara wildfire expands, more losses