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California wildfires: Santa Barbara threatened by Thomas fire California's Thomas Fire scorches area larger than New York City
(about 7 hours later)
Fresh evacuations have been ordered after the largest of the wildfires raging in southern California burned out of control on Sunday. The most destructive wildfire raging in southern California has expanded significantly, scorching an area larger than New York City.
Fanned by winds, the resurgent Thomas fire now threatens the coastal city of Santa Barbara and nearby Carpinteria. The Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties has consumed 230,000 acres in the past week.
Firefighters earlier reported progress in containing the blaze, said to have devastated an area the size of Chicago. Fanned by strong winds, it has become the fifth largest wildfire in recorded state history after it grew by more than 50,000 acres in a day,
But while other fires hitting the state are largely controlled, the Thomas fire is just 15% contained. Residents in coastal beach communities have been ordered to evacuate.
"The winds are kind of squirrely right now," Santa Barbara county fire spokesman Mike Eliason was quoted by the Associated Press as saying. On Sunday, firefighters reported that 15% of the blaze had been contained but were forced to downgrade that to 10% as it continued to spread.
"Some places the smoke is going straight up in the air, and others it's blowing sideways. Depends on what canyon we're in." "This is a menacing fire, certainly, but we have a lot of people working very diligently to bring it under control," Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said.
Evacuation orders were issued overnight for parts of Carpinteria close to Los Padres National Forest, about 100 miles (160km) northwest of Los Angeles. The other fires hitting California are largely controlled, but 200,000 people have evacuated their homes and hundreds of buildings have been destroyed since 4 December.
Evacuation orders were issued overnight on Sunday for parts of Carpinteria close to Los Padres National Forest, about 100 miles (160km) northwest of Los Angeles.
Forecasters said wind speeds were expected to increase throughout the day, before dying down again overnight.Forecasters said wind speeds were expected to increase throughout the day, before dying down again overnight.
The local fire department tweeted pictures of a wall of flames advancing on homes on the outskirts of Carpinteria early on Sunday morning.The local fire department tweeted pictures of a wall of flames advancing on homes on the outskirts of Carpinteria early on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, actor Rob Lowe, who lives in Santa Barbara, a city of close to 100,000 people, tweeted that he was praying for his town as fires closed in.Meanwhile, actor Rob Lowe, who lives in Santa Barbara, a city of close to 100,000 people, tweeted that he was praying for his town as fires closed in.
"Firefighters making brave stands. Could go either way. Packing to evacuate now," Lowe added."Firefighters making brave stands. Could go either way. Packing to evacuate now," Lowe added.
California has spent the past seven days battling wildfires. Six large blazes, and other smaller ones, erupted on Monday night in southern California.California has spent the past seven days battling wildfires. Six large blazes, and other smaller ones, erupted on Monday night in southern California.
Fanned by high winds, they swept through tens of thousands of acres in a matter of hours, driven by extreme weather, including low humidity and parched ground. The Thomas Fire - named according to where it started, near the Thomas Aquinas College - is by far the largest of the fires.
They swept through tens of thousands of acres in a matter of hours, driven by extreme weather, including low humidity, high winds and parched ground.
The authorities issued a purple alert - the highest level warning - amid what it called "extremely critical fire weather", while US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency.The authorities issued a purple alert - the highest level warning - amid what it called "extremely critical fire weather", while US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency.
On Saturday, California Governor Jerry Brown described the situation as "the new normal" and predicted vast fires, fuelled by climate change, "could happen every year or every few years".On Saturday, California Governor Jerry Brown described the situation as "the new normal" and predicted vast fires, fuelled by climate change, "could happen every year or every few years".
The current fires have forced the evacuation of some 200,000 people across the state, and seen more than 800 structures destroyed.
Several firefighters have been injured, but only one person has died - a 70-year-old woman who was found dead in her car on an evacuation route.Several firefighters have been injured, but only one person has died - a 70-year-old woman who was found dead in her car on an evacuation route.
There are also fears the blaze will seriously hit California's multi-million dollar agricultural industry.There are also fears the blaze will seriously hit California's multi-million dollar agricultural industry.