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Calif. wildfires force 6,000 more to evacuate
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-08 15:23

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Strong winds have kicked up in Santa Barbara, pushing a fierce wildfire farther to the west toward homes and forcing thousands more to flee the area.

Calif. wildfires force 6,000 more to evacuate
A firefighting aircraft drop retardant on the flames burning over a ridge into Rattlesnake Canyon near Santa Barbara, Calif., Thursday, May 7, 2009. [Agencies] 

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown says mandatory evacuation orders were expanded late Thursday, forcing about 6,000 additional people to leave their homes. That brings the total number of people evacuated to about 18,000.

One state fire official said the fire is acting like "a blowtorch."

Fire officials say firefighters are facing extreme conditions. The fire is burning in an area of heavy fuel and inaccessible terrain.