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Nearly 200 firefighters battle Goleta blaze
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More from Breaking NewsGOLETA, Calif. — Nearly 200 firefighters battled a wildfire in the Los Padres National Forest that forced evacuations and threatened homes near the San Marcos Pass, authorities said early Wednesday.
The blaze had chewed through nearly 100 acres of heavy brush in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph had pushed flames down a slope toward homes in the Glen Annie and La Patera canyons. Authorities issued a mandatory evacuation for residents in those areas.
Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Eli Iskow said about 40 homes were evacuated and another 200-plus structures were threatened. A shelter was opened at San Marco High School for residents and their small pets.
Santa Barbara County spokesman William Boyer said he didn't know how close flames had gotten to the dozen or so homes closest to the fire.
"At night, it's hard to gauge distances," he said.
Hand crews battled the blaze overnight and would be rejoined by firefighting aircraft at daylight, Boyer said.
Winds were expected to increase Wednesday, and that had Iskow concerned.
"It's going to be a battle of how much water we can get on the head of that fire," Iskow said.
Goleta is located about 8 miles northwest of Santa Barbara.
Posted by somepeople on July 2, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS WE THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT WITH THE FIRES IN CALIFORNIA
Posted by NightLight on July 2, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God bless the firefighters, who are working so hard and risking their lives for us. Let's hope they stay safe and are done soon.
Posted by keepin_it_real on July 2, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you firefighters for all you do. You all are appreciated so much. Love you all!!!!! Come back safely and cool yourselves off. ;)
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