Firefighters face "perfect storm" in Western wildfires

GOLETA, Calif. -- Firefighters in the Western U.S. said Saturday they were up against a "perfect storm" as hot, dry conditions -- even triple-digit temperatures in some places -- were fanning at least a dozen large fires.

North of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County was under a state of emergency Saturday as the Sherpa Fire destroyed more than 7,800 acres. Lighter winds allowed crews to perform "burn-out" operations late Friday night and contain 45 percent of the fire.

Firefighters tried to create a buffer zone between drought-dry brush and hundreds of threatened homes before the return of strong winds that pushed flames onto California's main coastal highway earlier this week.

Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Eric Peterson said Saturday firefighters are also dealing with extreme heat.

"We've got a hard Sunday and Monday potentially, but I'm confident everything that can be done is being done," Peterson said.

The county is home to a billion-dollar agriculture industry. Avocado, citrus, and olive crops have already been lost.

Rancher Pat Brown watched the fire consume hundreds of acres of his pastureland but told CBS News' Teri Okita he didn't feel like he was in danger.

"Not at that point, but I knew what was coming," Brown said. "There was no doubt in mind, it was bad."

No homes have burned, but about 270 structures are at risk. Campgrounds were evacuated as flames moved only two miles from more densely populated coastal communities.

Despite the threat, Brown said he was grateful that, so far, firefighters have been able to save his property.

"You get guys you don't know putting their life on the line," Brown said. "Some guys put out a hot spot, didn't even see the guy's face. But I'm thankful."

Smoke from the Santa Barbara fire has reached Los Angeles and Orange counties, prompting air quality advisories amid a heat wave, CBS Los Angeles reported.

People were being advised to stay indoors and reduce power use as much as possible through the middle of next week, when the heat wave will peak. Cooling centers were opened to the public in L.A. County, Riverside County and San Bernardino County.

Elsewhere, Gov. Susana Martinez directed the New Mexico National Guard to assist in securing communities affected by the massive wildfire in the central part of the state. Guardsmen will be patrolling and protecting evacuated homes from possible looting. They also will be called on to help with potential flooding.

Firefighters took advantage of cooler weather overnight to reinforce holding lines around a blaze that has destroyed two dozen homes. Fire lines were strengthened on the western and southern boundaries of a blaze that erupted in the Manzano Mountains south of Albuquerque.

However, erratic light winds were possible during the day, which could drive embers and start new spot fires, the U.S. Forest Service warned.

The fire has burned more than 27 square miles about six miles northwest of Tajique since Tuesday and spread a pall of smoke as far as Denver. The damage includes 24 homes and nearly as many structures near the small community of Chilili.

In Arizona, a fire southwest of Show Low was 30 percent contained. Firefighters beefed up containment areas on the northern and western sides of the blaze.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for the community of Forestdale. The fire has burned nearly 19 square miles since Wednesday.

Crews in Utah also made gains against three wildfires in the southern part of the state.

A 350-acre wildfire near Cedar City was 30 percent contained, but the blaze still threatened 20 structures including homes and outbuildings.

Weekend fire dangers already were expected to worsen as a heat wave will bring potentially record-shattering temperatures across the Southwest.