Update: Crews respond to multiple spot fires burning along Highway 166

San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County fire departments are responding to multiple spot fires along Hwy 166 near Santa Maria on Friday afternoon.

A vegetation fire was first reported around 3 p.m. at northbound Highway 166 near Bull Canyon Road, according to emergency response app PulsePoint.

The crews are fighting about four roadside fires that are estimated to be under 10 acres total, according to Cal Fire Assistant Chief Josh Taylor.

PulsePoint shows that 10 units are on scene, including a water tender and the Cuesta Conservation Camp inmate fire crew. A team from the Los Padres National Forest is also assisting.

Cal Fire requested CHP stop eastbound traffic on the highway at Bull Canyon to make way for fire equipment, according to CHP’s traffic incident page. An additional fire was also reported west of the original reported fire.

Some light traffic delays have been reported in the area, according to Caltrans.

Cal Fire is expecting to wrap up in about an hour.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Taylor said.

“With all highway areas in the county, they’re prone for fires — it just needs an ignition,” Taylor said. “They had multiple spots, meaning they had a significant ignition source because they were spread out.”

Caltrans hasn’t finished mowing the grass in the area, leaving a risk for roadside fires amid a lack of rain, he said.

“We’re expected to get rain tomorrow, which would be a blessing,” Taylor said.

Taylor said it’s a reminder for people to stay fire safe, mow their weeds and to think about making protective spaces around their structures.

This story was originally published March 18, 2022 at 4:26 PM.