California wildfire threatens Santa Barbara beach towns
The raging Thomas fire in Southern California, continually whipped up by strong winds, grew by another 50,000 acres on Sunday to become the fifth largest wildfire in California history.
It now covers about 230,000 acres, and has forced more than 200,000 people to flee their homes in a week.
The fire, which covers an area larger than New York City, has destroyed 800 buildings and claimed its first life last week.
Fire fighters say they are struggling to contain the fast moving wildfire with only about 10% of it contained.
About 100 miles northwest of LA, beach communities in Santa Barbara County including Carpinteria and Montecito are under an evacuation order.
"Fire will continue to threaten the communities of Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito and surrounding areas," Cal Fire said late Sunday.
The Fire department has enjoyed more success with the Creek and Skirballe fires in Los Angeles which are mostly under control.
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