Evacuations ordered near Goleta; wildfire burns several buildings, threatens homes

A wildfire that erupted during a Southern California heatwave has burned 35 acres and at least 20 homes in the hills above Goleta in Santa Barbara County, officials said.

It appears that a house fire spread embers to dry brush, and that ignited an out-of-control blaze, county Sheriff’s Department officials said.

Hundreds of homes have been evacuated. An evacuation center has been established at Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave., according to CalFire.

Here’s where the fire in Goleta started

County fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni tells KNX-AM radio that he saw homes burning Friday night in a residential area. Mandatory evacuations were called for an area of about 1,500 people, authorities said.

“It’s burning down toward the populated areas of Goleta where all the residences and businesses are,” Zaniboni said. “We’re talking hundreds of homes.”

North-northwest winds were blowing the embers and flames from the house fire downhill, toward downtown Goleta, Zaniboni said.

People were trying to evacuate horses and other livestock from rural ranches, Zaniboni said.

The fire is one of several that erupted Friday as temperatures topped 100 degrees in many Southern California areas and embers ignited tinder-dry brush.

Several homes also have burned in a fire in the San Diego County town of Alpine.