SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - Evacuations have been ordered as a California wildfire threatens homes above Santa Barbara.

The blaze erupted around 8 a.m. Wednesday near the prosperous, scenic coastal city sandwiched between picturesque beaches and

towering, heavily wooded mountains.

Fire officials say the 10-acre blaze is growing rapidly and burning close to homes. It's unclear how many are threatened.

Six air tankers have been called in. The National Weather Service says winds are light but they could gust to 20 mph later in the day.

County fire Capt. David Sadecki tells KNX radio that the fire's cause is unknown, but some power lines are down in the area.

The Painted Cave area was the scene of another fire in 1990 that killed one person and burned about 550 homes over 7 1/2 square miles.

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