In pictures: Fast-moving fire threatens Santa Barbara County

The wind-driven brush fire that started late on November 25 in Los Padres National Forest near Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County moved quickly downhill, prompting mandatory evacuations and threatening homes.

Santa Barbara City firefighter Erik Adair battles flames near a home off Cieneguitas Rd in Santa Barbara, California. High winds have forced the evacuation of 6000 people in an area that has not burned in over 20 years.

A helicopter drops on the Cave Fire burning along Highway 154 in Los Padres National Forest, California, above Santa Barbara.

A DC-10 air tanker drops retardant to slow the Cave Fire burning in Los Padres National Forest, California, above Santa Barbara.

Wind blows embers as the Cave fire burns a hillside in Santa Barbara, California.

A fox flees the flames on the hillsides of the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara, California, as the Cave fire continues to burn.

A man photographs flames with a smart phone at a wildfire dubbed the Cave Fire, burning in the hills of Santa Barbara, California.

Firefighters battle flames off Highway 154 north of Santa Barbara, California.

A Firefighter observes the Cave fire burning at Los Padres National Forest on November 26, 2019 in Santa Barbara, California.

The Cave fire burns a hillside in Santa Barbara, California.

Wind blows embers as the Cave fire burns a hillside in Santa Barbara, California.

A lizard that appears to have survived the fire under dirt emerges at a wildfire dubbed the Cave Fire, burning in the hills of Santa Barbara, California.

Firefighters stage trucks on Painted Cave Road as the Cave fire burns a hillside in Santa Barbara, California.

Firefighters work the Cave Fire at Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara, California.

A DC-10 Aircraft makes drops of Phos-Chek fire retardant on the hillsides of the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara, California.

Wind blows embers as the Cave fire burns a hillside in Santa Barbara, California.

A man rushes to move his van as flames approach from a wildfire dubbed the Cave Fire, burning in the hills of Santa Barbara, California.

Firefighters watch approaching flames at a wildfire dubbed the Cave Fire, burning in the hills of Santa Barbara, California.

Firefighters battle the Cave Fire burn as it flares up along Highway 154 in the Los Padres National Forest, above Santa Barbara, California.

Cave fire burns at Los Padres National Forest on November 26, 2019 in Santa Barbara, California.

The "Cave Fire" burns a hillside near homes in Santa Barbara, California.

A Los Angeles Fire Department Engine is seen on Highway 154 during operations to battle flames in the nearby hillside, Santa Barbara, California.

Embers blow from a burned tree during a wildfire dubbed the Cave Fire burning in the hills of Santa Barbara, California.

A firefighting DC10 aircraft known as 10 Tanker Air Carrier drops fire retardant near mountain homes at a wildfire dubbed the Cave Fire, burning in the hills of Santa Barbara, California.

Firefighters battle flames off Highway 154 north of Santa Barbara, California.