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The plan is to keep the aerial assault and structure protection efforts for Thursday’s fire fight against the #AlisalFire, which is now at 16,801 acres and 5% containment, according to fire officials.

The projected incident activity through the next 12 hours is significant growth potential currently exists due to forecasted northwest to north winds over the fire area pushing the fire both east and west of Refugio Canyon and west of Gato Canyon.

Evacuation orders expanded overnight to include areas west of Arroyo Hondo to Highway 101/Highway 1 interchange to Vista Del Mar school, and down to Gaviota Beach. There is also an evacuation warning for Hollister Ranch, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s office.

Los Padres Forest Service public information officer Andrew Madsen said the Type 1 command will be taking over Thursday and they are highly skilled at these types of wildland fires and will be beneficial into getting the upper hand on the fire. 

“Fire in Santa Barbara County is tricky, especially on the mountains where the terrain is steep. The Type 1 command will being an emphasis to logistics, supply and strategies for tightening containment,” Madsen added. 

The fire is burning in dense chaparral that hasn’t burned since the 1955 Refugio Fire and is being pushed by strong winds and growing at a rapid rate of speed. Smoke is visible throughout southern Santa Barbara County including the Santa Ynez Valley and along the Gaviota coastline. 

Air support units were called in to respond to the fire on Monday but were grounded due to severe winds, but they were able to fly much of Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday, hammering the top of the ridge with phos-chek. Helicopters joined the fire fight Tuesday morning, particularly to keep the flames away from the Reagan Ranch and surrounding properties, Madsen said.

He did say there has been one firefighter injured on this incident with a wrist issue and they self reported to Cottage Hospital for treatment.

Highway 101 is closed from Highway 1 at Las Cruces and Winchester Canyon/Cathedral Oaks Road in Goleta. 

A temporary evacuation center was set up at the parking lot of Dos Pueblos High School at 7266 Alameda Avenue in Goleta. As many as 100 structures, including ranches and homes, are threatened. More information at: https://readysbc.org/2021/10/11/evacuation-warning-alisal-fire-oct-11/.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) have upgraded the Air Quality Watch to an Alert for Santa Barbara County, including the Channel Islands. Smoke and ash from the Alisal Fire is affecting air quality, and winds in the forecast are expected to push more smoke onshore. This is a dynamic situation, and local air quality conditions can change quickly.

At the Board meeting of October 12, 2021, the County of Santa Barbara proclaimed a local emergency due to the Alisal Fire.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services has been activated to assist with animal evacuations. Livestock can be taken to the Earl Warren Showgrounds. Animal owners should call 805-681-4332 if assistance is needed to evacuate animals.

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Evacuation updates 5 p.m. – The SB Sheriff’s office has sent an evacuation warning to the areas east of Calle Mariposa Reina, west of Arroyo Hondo and south of West Camino Cielo. Be prepared to leave.

The #AlisalFire incident is well over 8,000 acres and growing as the gusty winds are pushing this erratic fire along the south slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains. It is still at zero percent containment as of Tuesday afternoon.

“We are bringing in Type 1 Incident Management to take over command hopefully they’ll be ready by tomorrow afternoon. This speaks to the seriousness of the potential for this fire to grow as there are many unburned areas,” said Andrew Madsen, public information officer with the U.S. Forest Service.

This particular section of the mountain range hasn’t burned since the 1955 Refugio Fire.

“I’ve been at El Capitan all day and see the white smoke which usually indicates grasses and then we see big black plumes, which is old growth and denser brush burning,” Madsen said.

Madsen said the Type 1 command is highly skilled at these types of wildland fires and will be beneficial into getting the upper hand on the fire.

“Fire in Santa Barbara County is tricky, especially on the mountains where the terrain is steep. The Type 1 command will being an emphasis to logistics, supply and strategies for tightening containment,” Madsen added.

He did say there has been one firefighter injured on this incident with a wrist issue and they self reported to Cottage Hospital for treatment.

“This is dangerous work and we want to keep injuries to a minimum. Especially working in Los Padres, it’s almost a badge of honor to get poison oak,” Madsen said.

The fire is burning in dense chaparral and is being pushed by strong winds and growing at a rapid rate of speed. Smoke is visible throughout southern Santa Barbara County including the Santa Ynez Valley and along the Gaviota coastline. Much of Santa Barbara County is under a high wind warning, according to the National Weather Service.

Air support units were called in to respond to the fire on Monday but were grounded due to severe winds. Helicopters joined the fire fight Tuesday morning, particularly to keep the flames away from the Reagan Ranch and surrounding properties, Madsen said.

“Ironically we had a demonstration of self applicable phos check at the Reagan Ranch this past July, with the demonstrators saying it could last through several inches of rain, which we haven’t had yet, so that could be a blessing if it comes closer to the property,” Madsen added.

Several tankers were cleared for fighting the fire Tuesday afternoon, according to scanner traffic.

Highway 101 is closed from Highway 1 at Las Cruces and Winchester Canyon/Cathedral Oaks Road in Goleta. Evacuation orders are in effect for residents in the Refugio Canyon, including Arroyo Hondo, Tajiguas and Arroyo Quemada. The evacuation order has expanded to include El Capitan State Park and the El Capitan Campground. An evacuation warning was put in place for the area north of El Capitan Campground and east to Dos Pueblos Canyon. A temporary evacuation center was set up at the parking lot of Dos Pueblos High School at 7266 Alameda Avenue in Goleta. As many as 100 structures, including ranches and homes, are threatened. More information at: https://readysbc.org/2021/10/11/evacuation-warning-alisal-fire-oct-11/.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services has been activated to assist with animal evacuations. Livestock can be taken to the Earl Warren Showgrounds. Animal owners should call 805-681-4332 if assistance is needed to evacuate animals.

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A vegetation fire that broke out Monday afternoon has now reached more than 6,000 burned and still zero percent containment as of 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to fire officials.

The #AlisalFire which was originally reported to being just above Alisal reservoir, actually began at the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains on the south side of the ridge. With gusty winds sustained at 35 miles per hour and gusting to over 70 miles per hour, and in mountainous terrain not easily accessible, firefighters are having a tough battle ahead. This area also hasn’t burned since the 1950’s during the Refugio Fire of 1955, according to the Fire Safe Council.

Highway 101 remains closed as of Tuesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The fire did reach the highway and jumped down to the beach.

“We anticipate heavy traffic on SR 154 so please give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Tractor trailer/big rigs, that exceed 65 feet are not allowed SR-154, please use I-5. No HAZMAT vehicles allowed on SR 154 as well,” CHP officials Tweeted out.

There were 100 to 120 structures threatened by the blaze as of Tuesday morning and one outbuilding was reported destroyed overnight.

There are currently more than 600 fire personnel assigned to this incident.

Evacuation orders are in effect for residents in the Refugio Canyon, including Arroyo Hondo, Tajiguas and Arroyo Quemada. The evacuation order has expanded to include El Capitan State Park and the El Capitan Campground.

An interactive evacuation map is now available for the #AlisalFire at arcg.is/1zO4m8. Enter your address at the top right field to determine if your area is under an Evacuation Order. #ReadySBC

A temporary evacuation center was set up at the parking lot of Dos Pueblos High School at 7266 Alameda Avenue in Goleta. As many as 100 structures, including ranches and homes, are threatened. More information at: https://readysbc.org/2021/10/11/evacuation-warning-alisal-fire-oct-11/.

Santa Barbara County Animal Services has been activated to assist with animal evacuations. Livestock can be taken to the Earl Warren Showgrounds. Animal owners should call 805-681-4332 if assistance is needed to evacuate animals.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara County, including the Channel Islands. Smoke and ash from the Alisal Fire could affect local air quality. Strong winds, locally and across the state, are also stirring up dust and ash into the air. This is a dynamic situation, and local air quality conditions can change quickly. All Santa Barbara County residents are encouraged to stay alert to local conditions by visiting www.ourair.org/todays-air-quality or fire.airnow.gov.

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By Tom Bolton, Noozhawk Executive Editor 

The closure order for Los Padres National Forest that goes into effect at midnight Tuesday affects all trails, campgrounds and roads, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

“The regional order closes the forest to public access,” Forest Service spokesman Andrew Madsen told Noozhawk. “There’s no real wiggle room around that.”

The Forest Service announced Monday that it was closing all 20 million acres of California’s national forests for two weeks due to extreme fire conditions and firefighting resources that have been strained by several large vegetation fires in the state.

People caught entering Forest Service lands — including developed campgrounds, hiking trails and recreation sites — typically face fines of up to $5,000 for violating closure orders.

Forest Service personnel were posting campgrounds, trailheads and other areas with signage about the closure, which is set to last until at least Sept. 17, Madsen said.

At the same time, concessionaires were closing down campgrounds.

Those with reservations and permits for camping and backcountry travel were being notified of the closure as well, he said.

The front-country trails along Santa Barbara County’s South Coast present a special challenge, Madsen said, because many of them start outside the forest and cross different jurisdictions — county or city.

“The boundaries are not really marked,” Madsen said, “and we don’t have the capacity to have someone up there.”

Officials hope the public heeds the closure order and uses extra caution in those backcountry areas that remain open.

Overall enforcement of the closure also presents a challenge, Madsen said, because the local forest areas are vast, with numerous access points.

“We can’t be everywhere,” Madsen said, noting that fire patrols already are out in the field.

“We hope folks will understand and abide by this order,” he added.

— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. 

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Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials announced additional fire restrictions will go into effect beginning tomorrow, July 15 and go through Dec. 31, 2021. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until the end of the declared fire season:

• Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest including designated Campfire Use Sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel within the designated Campfire Use Sites only. You must clear all flammable material for a distance of 5 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf) as well as at all Forest Service offices.
• Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the forest except in the two shooting ranges under special use permit, i.e., Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club; however, hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.
• Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site. 
• Fireworks are prohibited at all times and in all locations within Los Padres National Forest.
• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. This restriction is in effect year-round. 

Violators are subject to a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail and could be liable for the full cost of any fire suppression activities that result from their actions. For further information regarding current conditions as well as safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.

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Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that additional fire restrictions will go into effect beginning tomorrow, July 15, 2021. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until the end of the declared fire season:

• Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest including designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel within the designated Campfire Use Sites only. You must clear all flammable material for a distance of five feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf) as well as at all Forest Service offices.
    
• Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest except in the two shooting ranges under special use permit, i.e., Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club; however, hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.

• Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site. 

• Fireworks are prohibited at all times and in all locations within Los Padres National Forest.

• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. This restriction is in effect year-round. 

Violators are subject to a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail, and could be liable for the full cost of any fire suppression activities that result from their actions. For further information regarding current conditions as well as safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.

This Order is effective through December 31, 2021.

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In response to the increasing potential for a wildland fire start, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that fire restrictions will be raised throughout the Forest effective May 25. These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials and internal combustion engines, and will remain in effect until the end of fire season in late autumn. 

Effective May 25, the following restrictions will be in effect:

No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites, even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit, which are available free-of-charge on the LPNF website. Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times during use.

Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester.

Fireworks — even the “safe and sane” variety — are not permitted at any time or in any location within the forest.

Recreational target shooting remains prohibited within Los Padres National Forest except for the two areas under special use permit: Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club.

For a list of Developed Recreation Sites and Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe Camping, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/homeor contact the U.S. Forest Service district office nearest you.

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Los Padres National Forest officials announced that a portion of East Camino Cielo Road on the Santa Barbara Ranger District will be closed to the public during road construction scheduled for April and May.

The section that will close to ensure worker and public safety is on East Camino Cielo from Cold Springs Saddle to Romero Saddle. The construction work will be extensive and require the roadway to be dug up, reinforced with new crib walls, and repaved. Public motorists will not be allowed to use the road until the construction project is completed. This closure will restrict access to Pendola as well as the Divide Peak OHV area and the top of Romero Trail. 

This roadway suffered extensive storm damage in 2017 and recently received emergency funding from the Federal Highways Administration to begin construction,

The road will be closed to the public from April 1 through May 31. Violations could result in a fine of $5,000 or six months in prison. For questions on this project or to get a current conditions update, please contact the Santa Barbara Ranger District at 805-448-3648.

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Los Padres National Forest officials announced that the Forest Order prohibiting recreational shooting except in permitted gun ranges has been extended until June 30 to provide for public safety due to continuing high fire danger conditions and the potential for a wildfire sparked by target shooting.

With minimal winter rainfall to date, live fuel moisture levels across the forest have not significantly rebounded from last year and remain near critical levels. Predictive weather forecasts indicate persistent, strong offshore wind events through the spring that will likely further reduce fuel moisture levels.

Long-range weather models have consistently shown well below normal precipitation and drier than average weather with a high likelihood of elevated temperatures through the spring months. If these forecasts are accurate, fire activity could occur weeks earlier this year.

Preventing accidental starts from recreational shooting under dry conditions is key to protecting life and property. Shooting ranges under permit by Los Padres National Forest monitor and implement preventative measures to avoid accidental starts.

Under this Forest Order, discharging a firearm is prohibited except in the designated target ranges at the Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club. Persons hunting during the open hunting season as specified in the laws of California and having a valid California hunting license are exempt from this Forest Order.

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

For additional information, please visit the forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/home.

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