Wildfires Spark Evacuations In California

California Evacuations Nearly 1200 Homes Evacuated In Santa Barbara; 400-Acre Blaze Marks Early Start To State's Annual Wildfire Season..

by CBS/AP

Published: Wed, May 06, 2009 - 10:01 am CST

(CBS/AP) Helicopters soaked hillsides in the darkness early Wednesday in an attempt to hold off a wildfire looming in the foothills above the city.

Some 2,000 homes were threatened by the 400-acre fire that portended an early start to California's annual wildfire siege. About 1,200 homes were evacuated.

The area's "sundowner" winds were not especially harsh as night fell Tuesday, leaving the fire's growth slow.

"It was very unexpected and a very pleasant surprise," Santa Barbara County fire Capt. David Sadecki told KNBC-TV. "Last night the winds blew very hard all night long. If this had happened last night we'd be in a world of hurt."

No structures had been lost, but flames pulled within a half-mile of some neighborhoods and there was zero containment, said county spokeswoman Pat Wheatley.

The fire broke out less than a mile from the scene of last year's devastating blaze that destroyed more than 200 homes, reports CBS News correspondent Hattie Kauffman.

The flames were pushed by 20-30 mph winds that calmed slightly after midnight, said National Weather Service meteorologist Jamie Meier. Gusts of up to 50 mph were felt earlier Tuesday. Winds were blowing out of the north-northwest and a wind advisory was in effect for the area until 9 a.m. Wednesday.

"There are a number of areas burning pretty vigorously in the upper Mission Canyon area. Those are the areas that are a concern right now," said Santa Barbara City Fire spokesman John Ahlman.

The fire began Tuesday afternoon in the foothills above San Roque Canyon and quickly grew. The cause is not known, Sadecki said.

Fourteen strike teams, including 70 engines and three helicopters, battled the blaze. The helicopters, often grounded after dark, were expected to fly through the night, Sadecki said.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for neighborhoods spanning an area about 2½ miles wide, officials said.

The California wildfire wasn't the only extreme weather threatening parts of the country. In rural southeastern Arizona, about 20 firefighters were battling their own wildfire that had burned four or five homes and injured one person. The fire had scorched about 2,000 acres of rolling grassland, dry brush and scattered trees near Fort Huachuca.

Meanwhile, a strong band of storms sweeping across eastern North Carolina spawned a series of tornado warnings and officials said one twister may have touched down in Wilson County.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or official reports of damage.

The National Weather Service said it had indications a tornado touched down, but could not immediately confirm that.

Television stations reported that homes were damaged. A man identified as Walt Dixon told CBS affiliate WRAL-TV that he saw five houses damaged and a barn in pieces.

Dixon also said power lines had been brought down.

A dispatcher at the Wilson County Sheriff's Office said there were no immediate reports of injuries or damages.

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