Wildfire Forces Evacuation Of Campgrounds In Santa Barbara Mountains

SANTA BARBARA (CBS/AP) — Dozens of residents and Memorial Day campers have been forced to evacuate by a surging wildfire in the mountains of Santa Barbara County.

The U.S. Forest Service says the fire broke out at about 2:45 Monday in the Los Padres National Forest about 15 miles north of Santa Barbara and quickly surged to 500 acres amid winds of about 20 mph.

Firefighters from the Forest Service, Santa Barbara County, and surrounding cities were scrambling to catch up with the blaze with help from four planes and two helicopters.

By 11 p.m., officials said more than 6,000 campers and residents had been evacuated. They also said the fire grew to 1,000 acres.

A US Forest Service building and two vehicles have reportedly been damaged in the blaze.

The Forest Service says Paradise Road and the many campgrounds along it have been evacuated and closed down.

The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at the Wake Center, located at 300 North Turnpike Road in Santa Barbara.

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