Highway 101 reopened to traffic in the Santa Barbara area Thursday night, officials said, after more than four days closed due to the ongoing Alisal Fire. The railway parallel to Highway 101 has also reopened in both directions and all services are expected to be back to normal.
“Please drive carefully and know that fire resources are still operating in the area,” Mike Eliason with Santa Barbara County Fire said. “Please watch the road, not the burn scar. We thank you very much for your patience.”
Fire officials said the Alisal Fire grew by just 100 acres overnight Thursday, and is now 16,901 acres and 41% contained. Three homes and two other structures have been destroyed.
The fire started around 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 11 near the Alisal Reservoir north of Santa Barbara. It was propelled by strong northwest winds and quickly pushed south, crossing Highway 101 and prompting a shutdown of a portion of the highway to travelers.
Dozens of fire crews from several agencies are assisting, and as of Friday 1,731 personnel are assigned to the fire. All are on high alert this weekend as the weather is expected to return to dry and gusty conditions.
“For Friday and Saturday, warmer and dryer conditions are expected,” fire officials said in a statement.
“Relative humidity will bottom out in the teens and single digits with poor overnight recoveries. At the ridges, winds will remain offshore, blowing from an easterly direction with typical diurnal winds at lower elevations.”
Evacuation orders and warnings:
Several orders are still in effect. For the latest on orders, warnings and evacuation centers, visit readysbc.org.
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