Three local fire engine crews were called late Tuesday to assist firefighting efforts in Santa Barbara County, where about 1,200 homes had been evacuated, officials said.

The "Type III" engines -- stored and staffed by the Oceanside, Escondido, and Murrieta fire departments -- are owned by the state and can be called to respond anywhere in California at any time.

"Type III engines are a commodity," said Murrieta fire Chief Paul Christman, whose firefighters got the call at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. "When anything happens in the state, those Type III engines are the first to get tapped."

The engines are shorter than their urban counterparts, with four-wheel drive, rugged suspension and higher wheel clearance for off-road maneuverability.

Type III engines also have different equipment than urban engines, such as hand tools for cutting fire lines and narrower -- but much longer -- hose lines.

The Oceanside Fire Department crew got called up at about midnight, Capt. Scott Prestie. He said the Santa Barbara firefighters may need all the help they can get with what's being called the Jesusita fire.

Jesusita was up to 200 acres Wednesday afternoon, according to officials.

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning and a wind advisory for the region.

"If it's wind-driven and it's in hilly terrain, it's just a whole different kind of event," Prestie said of the fire.

The Jesusita fire started burning in the middle of what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently designated Wildfire Awareness Week 2009.

On Tuesday, Schwarzenegger issued an executive order for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to begin a long list of preparations for the dry season -- including hiring more firefighters and fast-tracking contracts for brush clearance throughout the state.

Closer to home, the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection already has hired two batches of seasonal firefighters in the past four weeks for San Diego County, CalFire Capt. Darrell Pina said Wednesday.

"There will be more to come," Pina said.

He said officials expect to hire 50 seasonal firefighters in May alone.

Contact staff writer Colleen Mensching at (760) 739-6675.