Wildfire in California force thousands to flee

Los Angeles, May 7: Thousands of residents were forced to flee after a wind-driven wildfire destroyed homes in the California coastal town of Santa Barbara om Wednesday, May 7. Media reports suggest that several hillside properties in the exclusive region north of Los Angeles engulfed in flames and thick smoke as the fast moving fire swept across the area.

Local wind known as 'Sundowners' resulted in the massive wildfire. About 8,000 people are ordered to vacate the place by the officials. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Governor declared a local state of emergency in the region. The state's dry climate is the reason behind frequent wildfires.

California suffered huge destruction from wildfires in 2007 which left 8 people dead and displaced about 640,000 people and destroyed 2,000 homes.

OneIndia News