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Brief break in winds helps California firefighters; 270 homes still at risk outside Santa Barbara

Published  June 18, 2016 11:38am PDT
Associated Press

GOLETA, Calif. — Firefighters battling an 11-square-mile blaze in California have caught a break from the weather — but it may not last.

Fire officials say 40-mph "sundowner" winds that usually sweep down the mountains near Santa Barbara didn't materialize Friday night. That allowed fire crews to make progress. The blaze was 24 percent contained Saturday morning.

No homes have burned, but 270 remain at risk, and evacuations remain in place for campgrounds and ranches in the steep rural canyon areas.

A heat wave also means firefighters will face temperatures in the 90s as they hack through heavy brush.

Forecasts call for the sundowner winds to return Saturday night.

The fire began Wednesday. More than 1,200 firefighters are on the scene.