Camino Fire contained after burning 5-6 acres
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - The Camino Fire, which broke out along Highway 154 late Monday afternoon was contained after scorching about 6 acres.
Fire crews responded to the vegetation fire near Highway 154 at Painted Cave Road Monday afternoon. Large plumes of smoke were visible from Santa Barbara just after 4:30 p.m.
According to the Santa Barbara County planned burn website, there was one active burn permit in the area. Santa Barbara County Fire officials said the large plumes of smoke were not connected to the planned burn.
The fire burned up the hillside in steep terrain, directly adjacent to the highway.
At 5:20 p.m., fire officials said the fire burned about 15 acres. At 6 p.m., that acreage was downgraded to five acres.
Santa Barbara County Firefighters were on the ground and a fire helicopter hovered overhead providing water drops.
By 7:30 p.m., Santa Barbara County Fire said all forward progress for the fire was stopped and crews would remain on scene throughout the night to mop up any hot spots.
Evacuations
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office assisted with possible evacuations related to the fire.
An evacuation warning was issued for home in the immediate area of Highway 154 and Camino Cielo. That warning was lifted around 7:30 p.m.
An alert from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management said residents that had already left the area would be allowed back in with local IDs. They asked that residents remain alert as conditions could change, and watch for equipment still working in the area.
Road Closures
Through traffic on Highway 154 was stopped between Highway 192 in Santa Barbara and Highway 246 in the Santa Ynez Valley due to the fire.
CHP said around 7:30 p.m. that they would be allowing residents who live below West Camino Cielo to drive on the 154 despite the hard closure.
Residents who live above West Camino Cielo were forced take Highway 101 to the 246 in order to drive around to their residence.
A hard closure was put in place from Paradise Road to Painted Cave Road.
CHP directed traffic and turned people around who were caught on the roadway at the time of the closure.
Drivers were advised to use Highway 101 in both directions.
For the latest traffic conditions, click here.
Rain On The Way
Rain is forecast to fall in Santa Barbara County early Tuesday morning. Current weather conditions are favorable for firefighters at this time.
