SB County firefighters halt grass fire west of Orcutt, road closures in place

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to a grass fire that broke out west of Santa Maria and Orcutt Monday afternoon.

The fire was called in around 2:14 p.m. in the area of Black Road and Dutard Street near Tanglewood.

First arriving engine crews said they found a five-acre grass fire that was wind-driven and spreading at a moderate rate. The wind coming from the northwest was pushing the fire southeast.

Crews immediately started knocking down the fire and made good progress, so they canceled responding aircraft and dozers.

The fire ultimately blew itself into a nearby agriculture field and put itself out. County Fire said they would remain on scene to cut a line around the fire to reinforce it.

As of about 3 p.m., firefighters said the burn had reached 15 to 20 acres in size.

There were reports of downed cable lines in the area, but they have not been confirmed as having started the fire. The cause is under investigation.

No structures were threatened or injuries reported.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office shut down Black Road at Highway 1 and at Sandalwood Drive for the fire.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.