Firefighters respond to vegetation fire burning on Vandenberg Air Force Base

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Firefighters responded to a vegetation fire that broke out off the side of Highway 135 near Orcutt Monday afternoon.

The fire was first reported around 1:15 p.m. Monday at Highway 135 and Graciosa Road burning on Vandenberg Air Force base property.

Santa Barbara County Fire Department and Vandenberg Air Force Base fire crews responded. County fire said an air tanker was called in to assist with the fire, which had burned about two acres.

The fire burned around 18 acres and was spreading at a moderate rate. By 2:45 p.m., forward progress of the fire was stopped, Santa Barbara County Fire spokesman Mike Eliason said.

According to the California Highway Patrol incident log, heavy smoke from the fire was drifting onto the highway. Caltrans advised that the roadway could be closed for upwards of two hours due to smoke limiting visibility.

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