KEYT - KCOY - KKFX Newsroom Staff, KEYT - KCOY - KKFX Newsroom Staff , assignmentdesk@keyt.com
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. -
Firefighters are battling an active brush fire at the top of a ridge in the Refugio Canyon area.
The fire broke out at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Los Padres National spokesperson Andrew Madsen says the fire is on the coastal side of Refugio Road, and is burning in heavy brush at a rapid rate of speed.
The fire is being called the Scherpa ("Sherpa") Fire due to the close proximity to Rancho La Scherpa, and is currently 200+ acres in size as of 8 p.m., according to Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni.
The blaze is burning down the canyon towards the ocean. Zaniboni says that at least a dozen homes are threatened. However, the nearby former Ronald Reagan ranch is not threatened.
Mandatory evacuations are in effect at Refugio Canyon, Las Flores Canyon, which includes the Las Flores Canyon refinery, and Venadito Canyon.
El Capitan Canyon and El Capitan State Beach are under an evacuation warning. People in this area should be ready to leave in case conditions change and they're required to leave.
Authorities sent out a reverse 911 to approximately 235 phone lines, which included both the mandatory and evacuation warning areas.
The American Red Cross is opening a shelter for all evacuees at the Wake Center at 300 N. Turnpike in the Goleta Valley Wednesday beginning 9 p.m.
Large animals and livestock are being taken to Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Exxon Mobile has also evacuated some of its personnel from their Las Flores Canyon Facility. Exxon Mobil spokesperson Todd Spitler issued the following statement on behalf of the company:
"We have evacuated non-essential personnel from our Las Flores Canyon facility in response to the Sherpa Fire. Employees who remain on site are involved in various fire-protection activities designed to safeguard people, the environment and our facility."
"We are working closely with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management to monitor and respond to the situation, as appropriate. Our primary concern is for the safety of our employees, contractors and the environment."
Fire crews with the Los Padres National Forest are being assisted by other local fire agencies that include the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara City Fire Department, Montecito Fire Protection District, Vandenberg fire crews and SLO County fire agencies. Ventura County will also be sending additional fire resources to battle the Scherpa Fire.
Several aircraft were called to the scene for an aerial attack. Madsen says that 10 engines, 3 helicopters, 7 air tankers, a DC-10 air tanker, 8 dozers, and over two dozen firefighters have been dispatched to Refugio to battle this brush fire.
Zaniboni said the main concern for fire crews as night draws closer are the sundowner winds expected to pick up. He said this fire is being driven by winds that have been blowing at approximately 20 mph at times.
As of 8 p.m, winds have calmed down, and aircraft will suspect air operations once nightfall arrives, according to Zaniboni. He added that additional ground resources will be arriving to assist with the firefight throughout the evening.
Zaniboni added that the terrain and accessibility to the fire by ground is very difficult and that's why firefighting efforts are focusing primarily on air attacks.
The California Highway Patrol's traffic website reports that Refugio Road is closed to residents only at northbound U.S. Highway 101. As of 7 p.m., The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency announced a hard closure at Calle Real from El Capitan to Refugio Road due to the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
We will continue to provide updates on this breaking news story as they become available.
A wind, slope, and fuel-driven wildfire broke out on the south slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains west of Santa Barbara overlooking the Gaviota Coast just east of the Reagan Ranch. The Scherpa Fire is named for the nearby Rancho La Scherpa Christian Conference Center in a private inholding within the Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara District. The fire has thus far consumed 200 acres with no containment and faces a switch to Sundowner Winds overnight which will drive it down the mountain and over US101 and to the Pacific Ocean if this occurs. At one point a few hours ago the fire was spotting up to a mile ahead of the head of the fire and thus some parts of the fire are not contiguous with the main fire. Evacuations are in effect:Evacuation Instructions for Vegetation Fire Burning Near the Top of Refugio Road
A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Refugio Canyon, Venadito Canyon and Las Flores Canyon including the refinery due to a vegetation fire. If you are in this area, please leave the area immediately.
An evacuation warning has been issued for El Capitan Canyon and El Capitan State Beach. Residents in this area should be ready in case conditions change and they are required to leave. If you are in the evacuation warning area, now is the time to gather your family, pets and personal belongings in case you are ordered to evacuate.
Reverse 911 calls were issued to 235 phone lines which include both the mandatory and evacuation warning areas.
Source: http://local.nixle.com/alert/5662239/
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