Wildfire in southern California shuts down major highway and forces evacuations

The Alisal fire west of Santa Barbara quickly spread to thousands of acres as it burned down to the Pacific Ocean

Evacuation orders were expanded Tuesday for a growing wildfire driven by intense winds that has shut down a key southern California highway for more than a day.

At least 200 firefighters battled the Alisal fire, which had scorched 8,000 acres (12.5 sq miles) along coastal Santa Barbara county and remained completely uncontained.