Winds could fan Calif. fire that threatens cabins

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) -- Fire crews watched for the return of gusty winds on Tuesday as they struggled to corral a wildfire that sent thousands of campers fleeing the mountains above Santa Barbara and threatened dozens of cabins.

The blaze erupted Monday afternoon in Los Padres National Forest, carving its way through 2.8 square miles of dry chaparral, oak and pine. It was only 10 percent contained, and the forecast later in the day was for wind gusts of up to 40 mph, Santa Barbara County fire Capt. David Sadecki said.

More than 550 firefighters were on the line, supported by a dozen aircraft.

The fire prompted the evacuation of about 50 homes, mainly cabins and vacation rentals, and forced as many as 6,000 campers to evacuate forest areas on the Memorial Day holiday.

Those evacuations remained in effect.

Only three people stayed at a Red Cross evacuation center overnight but it remained open, spokeswoman Giselle Gomez said.

The fire burned two vehicles and a U.S. Forest Service garage, and sent an enormous ashy plume over the mountains. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

Winds were calm early Tuesday, and the blaze was moving eastward along the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Santa Barbara.

Crews were concerned, however, that a wind change could push the fire south toward the scenic coastal city, Sadecki said.

"It's an out-of-control wildfire so it is a threat. There's a lot of dry vegetation in its path," Sadecki said. "It's still spring — it's not even summer — and it's burning like it's August or September."

Forecasters expected high temperatures in the 80s.

At the south end of the state, a fire in the wilderness in San Diego County scorched 980 acres of dry brush but was not a threat to homes or buildings.

The blaze southeast of Julian was sparked Sunday and was 70 percent contained. Fire officials were investigating whether it was set intentionally.