Vegetation fire forces closure of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County

A vegetation fire burning along Highway 101 in the Santa Ynez Valley Friday afternoon led to a full closure of the road near the interchange with Highway 154.

Forward progress of the blaze was stopped at 3:56 p.m. with the size estimated at 10 acres, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

At approximately 2:40 p.m., personnel from Santa Barbara County Fire began responding to the incident along Highway 101 south of Highway 154.

Firefighters initially estimated the fire’s size at 2 acres and reported vegetation burning on both sides of the northbound lanes including in the center median.

A short time later, the incident commander declared a second alarm to get more help at the scene.

Highway 101 was closed in both directions between Highway 154 near Los Olivos and Highway 246 in Buellton as of 4 p.m., Caltrans District 5 said.

As of 5:30 p.m., crews had reopened one lane in each direction.

There was no estimate for the highway’s full reopening.

Vehicles can use Highway 154 as a detour.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Friday.

This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Vegetation fire forces closure of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County."