SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Powerful winds during a night in which "all hell broke loose" have pushed a raging wildfire to the doorstep of this wealthy coastal city, threatening to destroy dozens more homes and leading to the evacuation of more than 20,000 people.

Firefighters were putting out roof fires today as gusts drove the flames down from the steep canyons above Santa Barbara and started burning homes in the residential flatlands.

Once tame, the fire front now stretches for five miles, city Fire Chief Andrew DiMizio said. "Literally last night, all hell broke loose," he said.

Ash rained down on empty neighborhoods of multimillion-dollar mansions and mobile home parks that were bathed in the approaching fire's eerie orange glow, as huge clouds of smoke billowed over the blackened mountains.

Tinder dry weather, scorching temperatures and wind gusts of up to 65 mph were forecast for today. The 3,500-acre fire was 10 percent contained, DiMizio said.

About 2,500 firefighters are battling the fire, which began Tuesday and was quickly turned into a blowtorch by gusting winds. It has razed or damaged 75 homes so far.

More than 20,000 people had been ordered to leave their homes.