Santa Barbara Fire Spreads to 1,800 Acres

This photo released by the Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue taken on Monday May 27, 2013 showing smoke from a wildfire burning long the mountains north of Santa Barbara, Calif. Fire crews watched the winds Tuesday as they struggled to corral a wildfire that sent thousands of campers fleeing the mountains above Santa Barbara and threatened dozens of cabins. (AP Photo/Valerie Walston, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue)

Santa Barbara fire: A fire in California that started in Los Padres National Forest is about 10 percent contained by firefighters; meanwhile, it was spread to 1,800 acres.

The “White Fire” has been burning to the east in the forest, along the Santa Ynez River. 

Battling the fire is 563 total personnel, and six air tankers and six helicopters, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The county Emergency Management estimates deployed equipment as seven air tankers and eight helicopters, as well as 14 fire trucks and two bulldozers.

Conditions today are similar to August and September and there has been a warning issued for high winds. “Fuels are at critical levels,” according to the fire department.

The United States Forest Service said the fire is threatening about 100 buildings including 50 houses, according to local broadcaster KTLA. More than 1,000 campers and 4,000 residents were ordered to evacuate before the fire shifted direction and burned toward an unpopulated area.

Two vehicles of the forest service were burned, along with one building. 

The fire isn’t considered by fire officials as a threat to residents on the south coast.