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 101 was closed from Cathedral Oaks road in Goleta to the junction of SR-1. For the latest highway conditions click here.
The Alisal Fire started around 2:30 p.m. Monday, just north of the Alisal Reservoir in the Santa Ynez Mountains. It crossed Highway 101 as strong southwest winds pushed it south toward Tajiguas Beach, where it’s now threatening some 100 structures in the county, fire officials said.
As of 6:49 a.m. Tuesday the fire has burned at least 3,900 acres and is 0% contained, according to Mike Eliason with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The area of greatest concern is Refugio Canyon, SBCFD Capt. Nikki Stevens said Monday in an interview with the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Stevens also said she is optimistic that the burn scars of the 2017 Sherpa Fire will give firefighters “a good buffer” to keep the Alisal Fire from moving east.
Much of Santa Barbara County is under a high wind warning until Tuesday morning, with winds in the area recorded at 30-35 mph, with gusts of up to 70 mph according to CNN.
Due to the winds, aircrafts have been unable to take off and help in the fire fight, according to the U.S. Forest Service, the lead agency on the fire.
Monday afternoon officials with the 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.