Hundreds forced to flee their homes in terror as massive ‘fire tornado’ rips through California
'Sherpa Fire' has doubled in size in the last 24 hours with more than 1,200 firefighters battling the 'inferno' blaze
A WILDFIRE advancing toward the coast of Santa Barbra, California, has more than doubled in size overnight, threatening hundreds of homes - ahead of a heat wave and strong winds that could fan its flames over the weekend.
The so-called “Sherpa Fire” jumped from 1,400 acres to around 4,000 acres by Friday morning, forcing mandatory evacuations of about 140 houses and ranches.
While no homes were in immediate danger, officials warned that wind gusts of over 40mph could return during the night and give rise to “fire tornadoes”.
More than 1,200 firefighters are battling the blaze, which began Wednesday afternoon.
“We do not want residents that are living in or adjacent to this area to be complacent,” Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said.
Officials said fire crews were concentrating on a “defensive strategy” to keep the blaze in check and keep it away from the coast, which is home to popular beach destinations.
Hundreds of homeowners were being called to evacuate late Thursday in the communities of El Capitan, Refugio, Venadito and Las Flores canyons, the sheriff’s office said.
“If you are in any of these areas, you should leave immediately,” a statement read.
Riley and Yvonne Keith were staying at a ranch in El Capitan when they were told to evacuate. They packed up their pets and 65-year-old Riley grabbed his mum. The family slept in their car in a supermarket parking lot.
Riley described the flames as “hell – an inferno”.
“It was at night. It was really nasty looking,” he told .
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“By the second day, there are ashes coming down,” Yvonne, 67, added.
“It looks like it’s snowing.”
Authorities could not estimate exactly how many people were forced out as a precaution, but said campsites along the beach had been cleared.
The “Sherpa Fire” is being driven by wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph at night and fuelled by hot and dry weather by day. Meteorologist Eric Boldt of the National Weather Service warned that “triple-digit temperatures” are threatening to roast the region over the next few days.
The state is entering its fifth year of drought, and officials say the Sherpa blaze is a grim omen for what could be a summer and fall of fire.
Residents in the area are all too familiar with the devastation these powerful winds can bring. In 1990, in the wake of strong winds, the “Painted Cave” fire burned 5,000 acres in three hours and destroyed 427 homes.
In 2008, sparked by a smouldering bonfire on a ridgeline overlooking the town of Montecito, the 1,940 acre “Tea” fire damaged 219 homes.
There have been no immediate reports of injuries to firefighters. A cause of the blaze is under investigation, but authorities don’t believe arson is involved.