Montecito fire burns dozens of homes

Reporting from Montecito — A fast-moving brush fire driven by 60- to 70-mph winds erupted tonight in the hills above Montecito in Santa Barbara County, burning at least 300 acres and forcing evacuations of luxury neighborhoods and destroying dozens and dozens of homes, authorities said.

The fire broke out about 6 p.m. in the Cold Springs area of Montecito, an area that is home to film stars and other wealthy residents, and quickly overwhelmed firefighters with its speed.

"I have so many concerns," said Terry McElwee, operation chief for the Montecito Fire Department. "It's just moving so fast right now. . . . We're having trouble rounding up enough resources."

Two helicopters with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection were dropping water where they could gain access as firefighters struggled to get engines and equipment to threatened structures. Nevertheless, the fire continued to press southwest, toward Santa Barbara.

Fire departments from Santa Barbara County, the city of Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria were battling the blaze, along with the California Department of Forestry and other agencies. About 100 firefighters were deployed, Ventura said. Mandatory evacuations were in effect for an area above State Highway 192, between Cold Springs Road and Hot Springs Road.

Geri Ventura, a spokesperson for the Montecito Fire Department Ventura said she did not know how many homes had been lost, but from televised aerial views, it appeared that dozens of homes were being consumed. An evacuation center has been set up at San Marcos High School, and students at nearby Westmont College were told to gather in the campus gym.

As the fire swept through the college area, a couple of buildings caught fire, but the campus remained mostly intact and there were no injuries reported, authorities said.

In the hills of Montecito, residents of the darkened streets lit only by the glow from the burning brush could be seen packing up cars and talking with each other. Horse trailers and Porsches snaked their way down narrow, winding mountain roads. The scent of burning eucalyptus filled the air.

Montecito resident Kent Kimball, 47, left his three sons and employees from the family's mechanic shop watering down his home on Sycamore Canyon Road while he took his mountain bike up to the 700 block of Chelham Way to get a better look at the fire and the direction it was taking.

Asked if he was worried about his home, Kimball responded, "Not necessarily. I've got good fire insurance."

Among those celebrities with homes in the area is talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, who owns a 42-acre estate there. Other famous property owners include Rob Lowe and Michael Douglas.

Lowe's publicist Alan Nierob told The Associated Press that the actor's home had not been destroyed and he was not staying there tonight.

Saillant is a Times staff writer.

catherine.saillant@latimes.com

The Associated Press contributed to this report.