Fire Burns for Day 4 in San Rafael Wilderness

Firefighters face another hot, dry afternoon as they battle a four-day-old wildfire that has scorched more than 32 square miles of brush in rural Santa Barbara County.

Forest Service spokesman Joe Pasinato says the blaze in the San Rafael Wilderness is 10 percent contained Tuesday after growing substantially a day earlier.

Highs in the 90s and wind gusts of up to 20 mph are forecast for the afternoon.

No buildings are threatened and no injuries are reported from the blaze, which has burned more than 20,600 acres. The fire began Saturday afternoon about 25 miles east of Santa Maria.

More than 1,000 firefighters and 15 aircraft are assigned to the blaze, which is burning in steep canyonlands and dense brush.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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