Firefighters battled a wildfire that burned through the southern California coastal hills for a sixth day on Saturday.
The fire, in the Santa Ynez Mountains west of Santa Barbara, grew only slightly since Friday to almost 27 square miles.
The improved environment allowed authorities to cancel evacuation orders for some isolated properties on Friday night.
The fire broke out in high winds Monday afternoon and quickly flared up the mountain wall, skipping a highway and railroad to the beach above.
In its first-ever damage report Friday, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department reported that in excess of 400 buildings threatened by fire three homes and two fire-engines outbuildings had been destroyed.
Scientists say that climate change has resulted in the West being much warmer and drier the last 30 years, with more extreme weather and wildfires becoming more frequent and destructive.
Since then, fire fighting weather has improved considerably, so aircraft and helicopters have been able to provide rehab and water to the fire.
Wildfires in California have burned nearly 2.150 square miles this year and destroyed more than 3.600 homes, businesses and other structures, according to the state Department of Forestry and Emergency Management.
