Cave fire burns more than 4,200 acres, threatening homes in Santa Barbara County
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Firefighters struggling with a wind-driven brush fire that has forced thousands from their homes in Santa Barbara County on Tuesday were hoping that a bout of rain from a cold front moving across the state will help bolster their efforts.
The Cave fire broke out Monday afternoon near East Camino Cielo and Painted Cave Road in the Los Padres National Forest. The blaze ignited amid erratic sundowner winds that sent flames rushing downhill toward communities in Santa Barbara and Goleta, spurring evacuations.
Steep, rocky terrain and critically dry grass and brush have stymied firefighters' efforts. The fire behavior overnight was so erratic that when the winds - gusting up to 50 mph - would let up, the blaze would change direction and race back uphill toward firefighters,
