Firefighters getting control of Santa Barbara wildfire

Firefighters continued to make progress Wednesday on a fire in Santa Barbara County that has burned nearly 2,000 acres.

The White fire was 90% contained as of 7 p.m., according to Inciweb.

One residence was damaged.

Residents evacuated from areas near Paradise Road and the Santa Ynez River were being allowed back into their homes Tuesday night, the Forest Service said.

PHOTOS: Wildfire burns in Santa Barbara County

Earlier in the day, wind gusts up to 40 mph forced authorities to temporarily ground fixed-winged aircraft that had been making repeated fire-retardant drops, said Forest Service spokeswoman Paula Martinez.

She said water-dropping helicopters continued to battle the blaze while the tanker planes were grounded.

“The helicopters did a tremendous job today, as well as the firefighters who were assigned to various areas on the lines,” Martinez said. “The lines were truly tested, but so far they are holding.” More than 600 firefighters from several jurisdictions are fighting the blaze.

Flames as high as 30 feet were fanned by the powerful winds, and the fire destroyed one structure and damaged a vehicle and another structure, the Forest Service said.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

In Los Angeles County, firefighters stopped a brush fire that burned 149 acres Tuesday afternoon near Valencia.

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kurt.streeter@latimes.com