Santa Barbara wildfire forces mass evacuation, nearing 1,000 acres [photos]

National Weather Service says winds could increase overnight where the #WhiteFire is burning more than 1,000 acres. http://t.co/B6HEjOIvH5

— Ventura County Star (@vcstar) May 28, 2013

https://twitter.com/FireOFire/status/339213986430074880

Thousands were evacuated from Santa Barbara, Calif., this afternoon and evening as a wildfire raged in the mountains nearby. Officials and residents are using the hashtag #WhiteFire.

Mehosh….stay SAFE!!! #whitefire pic.twitter.com/8iTv2kMpq2

— JJ the anti-evil Santa Barbarian (@cookiesinheaven) May 28, 2013

Pic of the #WhiteFire on the @LosPadresNF in Santa Barbara County. Per USFS 700 acres. More: http://t.co/k5vHp99pXk pic.twitter.com/DyVNk7Zfax

— CAL FIRE PIO (@CALFIRE_PIO) May 28, 2013

Another viewer picture of the #whitefire, courtesy of Cathy Tajima. 700 acre fire burning in Santa Barbara Co. pic.twitter.com/xZB5sWVdiJ

— Alan Rose (@AlanRoseWX) May 28, 2013

Sheriff and Fire helicopters refilling their tanks with water at the creek bed of White Rock campsite. #WhiteFire pic.twitter.com/Xx5pxBtgct

— Oscar Flores (@oflores) May 28, 2013

Dangerous winds promise to make the situation even worse.

Potentially damaging winds thru early Wed for the Mtns, Srn #SantaBarbara Co, & #AV. Strong winds also for the #SCV. http://t.co/Az2auJSQ8o

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) May 28, 2013

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Ground shot of the #WhiteFire in #SantaBarbara blowing up earlier this evening pic.twitter.com/2NIUXryOh3

— ValleyFireScan (@ValleyFireScan) May 28, 2013

@KEYTNC3Alan smoke rolling in towards the Mesa! pic.twitter.com/IPEKoZILaj

— Celina hunt (@HuntCelina) May 28, 2013

Smoke plume has reached Santa Cruz Isl from the #WhiteFire near Santa Barbara. Vandenberg radar image. pic.twitter.com/vJU8rRZyYN

— Eric Boldt (@wxreport) May 28, 2013

Santa Barbara hills are on fire. #fire pic.twitter.com/nJXKcyUFXO

— Ivan H. III (@i_h_3) May 28, 2013

https://twitter.com/erthcrclr/status/339217583926571008

Santa Barbara sunset but under fire 🙁 pic.twitter.com/7z6VlYd7pV

— BehaviorTrend (@BehaviorTrend) May 28, 2013

Twitchy will continue to monitor and update. Thoughts and prayers out to those affected and to the firemen and first responders on the front lines. It’s going to be a long, tough wildfire season.