Crews Battle 2 Los Padres Forest Fires

Firefighters hoped that a burnout would limit the spread of two lightning-ignited blazes that have charred more than 16,000 acres.

Air tankers dropped fire retardant in Los Padres National Forest--which stretches from Ventura County to San Luis Obispo County--to extend containment lines, the U.S. Forest Service said.

The fires have burned at least 16,223 acres in the forest since a lightning storm Sept. 8. They were only 12% contained Saturday.

Authorities were recommending a voluntary evacuation of residents from Tassajara Hot Springs.

In far Northern California, wildfires in Shasta and Trinity counties had burned a combined 42,436 acres Saturday, officials said.

Firefighters also were challenged by hot and dry weather and smoky conditions as they worked to contain the blazes burning in the Trinity Alps Wilderness and near Klamath National Forest.