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Santa Barbara wildfire now 75 percent contained

10:13 AM, Oct 18, 2012   |    comments
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) -- Firefighters are trying to surround a wildfire that briefly threatened 100 homes in rugged hillsides north of Santa Barbara.

Authorities say the fire has grown to 44 acres, but it's 75 percent contained.

It erupted Wednesday near Highway 154 in the same area where a 1990 blaze killed one person and burned about 550 homes.

Evacuations were called for about 100 homes in the Painted Cave area, but residents were allowed to return a few hours later when expected high winds failed to materialize.

Only light winds are expected in the area Thursday afternoon.