Photo: Lawrence K. Ho/ Los Angeles Times
Strong winds whipped that wildfire in the foothills of Santa Barbara into a firestorm late today. The powerful winds, known as sundowners, reached 50 miles an hour and higher in some areas. Eight thousand people were evacuated, at least 500 acres charred, and at least 20 homes have burned to the ground.
Photo: Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times
KNX 1070 newsradio says several firefighters have been injured; three from Ventura County were airlifted to Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks tonight. So far, no reports of civilians being hurt. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County. More details and photos on the Los Angeles Times website.
Fronnie Lewis
Fronnie Lewis is the editor of mediacitygroove.com. She has an extensive background in newsgathering and writing, including more than two decades as a newswriter at KNBC-TV Los Angeles. She graduated from Stanford University, where she studied journalism and broadcast news.
