Alisal Fire in Santa Barbara County sees jump in containment as Highway 101 reopens
Update, 6:30 p.m.:
Some evacuation orders for the Alisal Fire have been lifted as of Friday evening.
Evacuation orders for Arroyo Quemada Lane and the evacuation warning for the area east of El Capitan Beach State Park, west of Dos Pueblos Canyon Road and south of West Camino Cielo has been canceled, according to fire officials.
Original story:
Firefighters on Friday achieved 41% containment of the Alisal Fire, following the reopening of Highway 101 after a three-day closure.
The CHP’s Santa Barbara office announced the roadway was open again about 6:05 p.m. Thursday.
“Hwy 101 is open!” the CHP wrote in a tweet. “The CHP appreciates your understanding and patience with the roadway closure the past few days as emergency crews fight the Alisal Fire. The Alisal Fire remains active, we are asking the motoring public to remain vigilant of emergency crews working along the Hwy.”
Union Pacific Railroad had also reopened as of Friday morning, Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesman Mike Eliason wrote in a tweet. Noozhawk reported train traffic through the area had resumed as of 4 p.m. on Thursday.
By Friday morning, the fire burning along the Gaviota coast had scorched 16,901 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service’s Inciweb Incident Information System.
“Of the 439 structures that have been threatened, three residences and two other out buildings (were) destroyed,” Eliason wrote via Twitter, noting that 1,731 personnel were assigned to the fire.
Although the wildfire was only 5% contained as of Thursday morning, crews were able to make “significant progress” fighting the blaze, the Forest Service said.
Firefighters secured the perimeter around Reagan Ranch and began mop-up work around Camino Cielo, Refugio Canyon and Highway 101, according to the Forest Service’s Friday update.
As of 4:50 p.m. Thursday, evacuation orders remained in effect for residents of the area west of Arroyo Hondo to intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 101, as well as Arroyo Hondo Canyon, Refugio Canyon and the area between El Capitan Beach State Park and West Camino Cielo, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Evactuation warnings were in place for the area west of Highway 101, including Gaviota Beach and Hollister Ranch properties, as well as the area east of El Capitan Beach State Park, west of Dos Pueblos Canyon Road, and south of West Camino Cielo.
Fire crews expect winds to “switch back and forth from a northerly to southerly direction throughout the day with gusts up to 20 mph,” which could increase fire activity, along with warm weather and low humidity.
“Today’s priorities will be to secure the fire’s eastern edge along the old Sherpa Fire burn scar, address the western portion near the Cañada San Onofre, and ensure the fire holds where it has been contained,” the Forest Service reported. “Crews will continue to use aviation assets as conditions allow.”
This story was originally published October 15, 2021 at 10:30 AM.
