Hundreds of drivers affected as Alisal Fire forces closure to Highway 101

BUELLTON, Calif. - Highway 101 between Buellton and Goleta has been closed due to the fast-moving Alisal Fire.

Hundreds of drivers who use the 101 to commute have been affected by the road closure, with some commuter seeing two hour-delays.

Firefighters first responded to reports of a fire atop a mountain peak in Santa Barbara County Monday afternoon. The fire, which fire officials said sparked above Alisal Reservoir, was driven by winds and burned down toward the ocean.

Caltrans closed Highway 101 in both directions as the fire burned its way down the hillside toward the freeway.

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

Caltrans spokesman Jim Shivers said there was no timeline for when Highway 101 would be reopened.

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