Highway 154 reopens after vegetation fire near Santa Barbara
Update, Tuesday, 12 p.m.:
Highway 154 has reopened, according to Santa Barbara CHP.
CHP advised drivers to exercise caution and slow down while driving. In light of the rain, the department also advised drivers toa void standnig water on roadways and drive in the tracks of the car in front of you.
Update 7:30 p.m.:
Forward progress has been stopped on the fire, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Evacuation warnings have also been lifted.
Traffic restrictions are still in place.
Crews are expected to remain on scene mopping up through the night.
Update, 5:45 p.m.:
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff says it has issued evacuation warnings, not orders, for the area around the fire. The department previously tweeted that residents had been ordered to evacuate.
Original story:
A 15-acre vegetation fire shut down Highway 154 outside of Santa Barbara on Monday.
According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the fire is moving uphill on the north slope.
A road closure at Highways 192 and 246 were set up around 5:40 p.m. Monday, according to Caltrans.
Ground crews and a helicopter are working to contain the fire.
Evacuations have been ordered for residents in the immediate area of Highway 154 and Camino Cielo, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published March 9, 2020 at 5:29 PM.
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