California fire burns unchecked

By Mario Anzuoni

SANTA BARBARA, California (Reuters) - A wildfire that has destroyed dozens of multimillion-dollar homes and injured 10 firefighters burnt unchecked through the central California foothills at the edge of Santa Barbara for a third day on Thursday.

Already 13,500 people have fled their homes in the hillsides surrounding seaside Santa Barbara, as 1,400 firefighters fought the fire, which was being investigated as an arson.

By mid-afternoon on Thursday, the so-called Jesusita fire had charred an estimated 1,300 acres (525 hectares), authorities said, and crews contending with nearly 100-degree F (38 C) temperatures and hot, dry Santa Ana winds made little headway in controlling the flames.

Authorities were concerned that the flames were edging towards the more populated downtown area and were keeping a wary eye on the winds, which typically pick up at sundown.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has spent recent days promoting wildfire safety throughout the state, visited the site of the first major fire of the year and said dozens of homes have been destroyed.

Another 3,500 remained threatened and authorities ordered 13,500 people to evacuate their homes, he said. A few homeowners ignored warnings to flee and stayed behind in a bid to help save their houses and belongings.

'I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO DIE'

"I didn't want to lose my home. It's that simple," homeowner Albert Lindemann told KTLA-TV news, adding that his house ultimately was saved by firefighters who arrived just in time.