An intense wildfire erupted in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara on Monday, forcing emergency crews to battle the wind-bolstered blaze into the night and next day.
The Cave Fire prompted evacuations of residents in the area as well as a hard closure of Highway 154.
A storm fell on the region Tuesday night, helping firefighters make “good progress” on extinguishing the blaze. As of Wednesday morning, the fire was 20 percent contained with 4,367 acres burned.
Left in its wake were smoking, charred remains, photographed by Santa Barbara County Fire public information officer Mike Eliason.
Here are some of the photos and videos of the dramatic blaze and its smoldering aftermath from Eliason.
The charred landscape atop East Camino Cielo Wednesday morning where smoldering spots still are present throughout the rain-soaked burn area. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
#CaveFire-Smoldering spots still are present throughout the rain-soaked burn area, like this view atop East Camino Cielo Wednesday morning. Clouds continue moving into the area bringing additional rainfall into the overnight period. pic.twitter.com/pCBcAozbfg
Smoldering spots still are present throughout the rain-soaked burn area, like this view atop East Camino Cielo Wednesday morning. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
With small smokes still smoldering below, a rainbow appears above the burn scar near Painted Cave Road Wednesday morning. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
Firefighters at the Cave Fire backlit by flames. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
As of 6:40 p.m. firefighters were still battling the blaze. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
#CaveFire- Burning in the Los Padres NF on E. Camino Cielo near Painted Cave. SBC Dozer 1 building a line down hill from Camino Cielo. pic.twitter.com/1m3NQxcPTU
Highway 154 is closed at Painted Cave and Camino Cielo due to a wildfire in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara, Caltrans says. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
John Malone and miniature horse “Breeze” keep an eye on flames Monday off Via Chaparral near Santa Barbara after he evacuated from his home. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Flames on the west side of Highway 154 near San Antonio Creek Road. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Santa Barbara County firefighterss battle flames along CA Hwy-154 near San Antonio Creek Rd Monday night. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Santa Barbara City firefighter Erik Adair battles flames near a home off Cieneguitas Rd in Santa Barbara Monday night. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
The Cave Fire is burning in the Los Padres National Forest on East Camino Cielo near Painted Cave Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
Scenes from the fire lines off CA Hwy-154 approximately 3 miles north of Santa Barbara. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Smoke rises above the Los Padres National Forest with the Pacific Ocean in the distance Tuesday morning. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Fire activity blocks out the sun Tuesday morning as flames move north towards East Camino Cielo in the Los Padres National Forest. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A DC-10 aircraft makes a phos-chek drop near flames above Highway 154 as firefighters battle the Cave Fire on Tuesday. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
After showing the BAe-146 where to make a phos-chek drop, the lead plane turns to clear the airspace above East Camino Cielo. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Do you have photos or videos of the Cave Fire? Send them to Tribune reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com.
This story was originally published November 25, 2019 at 6:47 PM.
Kaytlyn Leslie writes about business and development for The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Hailing from Nipomo, she also covers city governments and happenings in San Luis Obispo. She joined The Tribune in 2013 after graduating from Cal Poly with her journalism degree.
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