Photo credit Mike Eliason, Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A large portion of Highway 101 was closed Monday, as heavy winds led to the start and spread of a wildfire burning near Santa Barbara. Tuesday morning CalTrans said the freeway was closed from Cathedral Oaks Road in Goleta to the SR-1 junction.
The Alisal Fire began Monday afternoon, just north of its namesake reservoir in the Santa Ynez Mountains. It raged across the 101, thanks to strong southwest winds pushing it south toward Tajiguas Beach. An estimated 120 buildings are in danger, fire officials said.
By dawn Tuesday, the fire had burned roughly 6,000 acres and was 0% contained, according to Santa Barbara County Fire Department public information officer Mike Eliason.
The impact to Refugio Canyon is most concerning, SBCFD Capt. Nikki Stevens said Monday in an interview with the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Stevens said she's optimistic burn scars from the 2017 Sherpa Fire could provide firefighters with a “buffer” to keep the Alisal Fire from moving east.
Much of Santa Barbara County is under a high wind warning until Tuesday morning, with gusts of up to 70 mph.
Because of the forceful winds, firefighting aircraft have been unable to take off and offer assistance, said the U.S. Forest Service, the lead agency on the fire.
Representatives from Los Padres National Forest shared aerial photos of the smoke visible throughout southern Santa Barbara County, including the Santa Ynez Valley and along the Gaviota coastline.
Evacuation Information: An evacuation warning was put in place for the area north of El Capitan Campground and east to Dos Pueblos Canyon. A temporary evacuation center was set up at the parking lot of Dos Pueblos High School at 7266 Alameda Avenue in Goleta. As many as 100 structures, including ranches and homes, are threatened. For more information, click here.
Evacuation Points: A temporary evacuation point has been established at the Dos Pueblos High School upper parking lot at 7266 Alameda Avenue in Goleta. Evacuees can go to this location to get information from personnel on site.
Santa Barbara County Animal Services has been activated to assist with animal evacuations.For animal evacuation assistance, call 805-681-4332.
Livestock can be taken to the Earl Warren Showgrounds. Animal owners should call 805-681-4332 if assistance is needed to evacuate animals.
This is a developing story. KNX will continue to update as details become available. For the latest information from the USFS, click here.