Central California wildfire destroys 34 homes, forces 350 to evacuate

(Reuters) - Firefighters scrambled on Thursday to contain a deadly wildfire that has forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents and gutted dozens of homes near the coast of central California. The blaze burned through drought-stricken chaparral, tall grass and timber in its march through over 23,500 acres (9,510 hectares) at the edge of the Los Padres National Forest, where 350 residents have been evacuated, according to fire officials. Some 3,500 firefighters battling the blaze may get a re