San Marcos Pass holds up after first post-fire rain test

NEAR GOLETA, Calif. - A very large boulder is now out of the roadway on San Marcos Pass above Goleta with the use of heavy equipment by a CalTrans crew in an area now fragile after a fire and rain.

Drivers are being asked to stay alert in the area now prone to rock and debris slides. Nothing of note has happened so far, and no one has been injured. The Cave fire zone is still in bad shape and a risky drive.

That fire which burned 3126 acres has left some steep slopes without vegetation.

CalTrans is working steadily in the area to replace guard rails that burned up. Traffic is being stopped and rotated in each direction while the crews are on site.

Monday there was a large truck full of guard rails lined up next to an area with a very steep slope that could send a vehicle down over 200 feet if there was an over-the-side accident.

The main zone goes from just above Cathedral Oaks Road to the edge of the Painted Cave community and to the top mountain at East Camino Cielo.

Electronic signs are up to advise motorists if the pass is open or if they need to take an alternate route (Highway 101 ) .