this area. they are jumping from ridge top to ridge top, and firefighters are losing ground. with santa barbara threatening transmission lines firefighters undermanned and overmatched. >> the cave fire is burning under some of the toughest firefighting conditions anywhere in the world. >> reporter: battling fire today, crews here could face flooding tomorrow a winter storm will douse the very hill up in flames now. last year in nearby montecito, a mudslide after a fire killed 23 and buried neighborhoods in debris when the sun goes down, the air attack here will eventually have to stop, and that's when we'll hit those heavy ras. the threat of mud slides >> tonight a doubl contained. heavy ra nbc news, santa barbara.