At least 8,000 residents have had to be evacuated from homes in the Santa Barbara region of California, USA, as fire rages through the region.

California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has declared a state of emergency as winds of up to 50mph push the flames nearer and nearer the residential area.

800 fire-fighters and 20 ‘aerial strike’ teams are struggling to bring the blaze under control. There have been reports of minor burns and injuries but as yet no reported fatalities.

The fire, which is being treated as arson, comes just 6 months after another blaze destroyed 200 homes in the same district, a fire that was started after a student’s campfire got out of control.

At present it is believed approximately 20 homes have been razed to the ground as the fire continues to threaten the people of this popular coastal town, just north of Los Angeles.