Ash falls like snow; fires now California’s third biggest
VENTURA: A raging Californian wildfire powered by fierce winds grew into the thirdlargest in state history yesterday as forced evacuations turned neighbourhoods into ghost towns and ash fell in some areas like heavy snow.
High winds and dry conditions were expected to remain through the weekend to power the socalled Thomas Fire in Southern California. It has destroyed more than 1000 structures and threatened 18,000 more since erupting on December 4, including homes in the wealthy enclave of Montecito just outside the coastal city of Santa Barbara.
‘‘It is a beast,’’ Santa Barbara County Fire Department Division Chief Martin Johnson told a news conference, ‘‘but we will kill it.’’
Nearly 8500 personnel using nearly 1000 engines and 32 helicopters were battling the blaze, which was 40% contained last night.
A new evacuation order was issued for parts of Santa Barbara County yesterday as high winds whipped the fire through bonedry terrain.
In Montecito, smoke billowing from nearby canyons and pushed by high winds choked the air, hindering aircraft from dropping flame retardant,.
The wildfire drove hundreds of thousands from their homes. It was also responsible for poor air quality throughout Southern California.
An evacuation order for the city of Ventura, which was hit hard in the first days of the fire, was lifted yesterday morning.
‘‘Our backyard, it’s like a rain of ash. I don’t even want to step back there,’’ said Janet Harrington (56).
Thirteen days of shifting winds and evacuations have been tough on a weary population. — Reuters