Powerful winds helped spread a brush fire that destroyed some 70 homes in the wealthy southern California community of Montecito, authorities in Santa Barbara county said on Friday.

The fire broke out around sundown Thursday, and driven by wind gusts of up to 113 kilometres quickly overwhelmed area firefighters.

By midnight (0800 GMT) the blaze had destroyed at least 70 homes and scorched some 320 hectares, spokesperson Terri Nisich with the San Barbara County executive office told the CBS network affiliate KCAL-9.

At least four people were injured, Nisich said.

Santa Barbara County officials told KCAL that 125 engines, more than 1000 firefighters from nearby communities and three water-dropping helicopters were battling the blaze.

A hillside community with ocean views, Montecito — located some 160 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles — is home to celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, who owns a 17 hectare estate where she famously hosted a fundraising reception for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama during the Democratic party primaries.

Actors Michael Douglas and Rob Lowe also own property in Montecito.

"I have so many concerns," Terry McElwee, operation chief for the Montecito Fire Department, told the Los Angeles Times. "It's just moving so fast right now ... We're having trouble rounding up enough resources."

The wind was pushing the flames southwest towards the city of Santa Barbara, local media reported.

AFP