Alisal fire: Road closures, evacuations, shelters, progress report

Gregory Yee
·2 min read
GAVIOTA COAST, CA - OCTOBER 11: Flames light up the night sky as the Alisal Fire quickly grew to over 1,000 acres Monday afternoon driven by sundowner winds as it burned through Tajiguas Canyon to the 101 freeway forcing its closure. Mandatory evacuations are in place as the gusty winds drive flames through rough terrain that hasn't burned in decades. The 1955 Refugio Fire that consumed 80,000 acres is the last time much of the area had burned. The historic Reagan Rancho del Cielo which sits near the top of Refugio Canyon could be threatened by the flames as the fire moves into Refugio Canyon. Refugio Road on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 in Gaviota Coast, CA. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times).
Flames from the Alisal fire light up the night sky Monday. The historic Reagan Rancho del Cielo could be threatened as the fire moves into Refugio Canyon. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The Alisal fire is burning north of Santa Barbara and already has consumed more than 13,000 acres.

Here are the basics:

Evacuation orders

Refugio Canyon including Arroyo Hondo, Tajiguas and Arroyo Quemada; El Capitan State Park and the El Capitan Campground.

Evacuation warnings

The area north of El Capitan Campground and east to Dos Pueblos Canyon.

Road closures

The 101 Freeway remains closed between Highway 1 and Winchester Canyon Road/Cathedral Oaks in both directions.

Shelters

An evacuation center where residents can go for information has been

established at the Dos Pueblos High School upper parking lot at 7266 Alameda Ave. in Goleta.

Earl Warren Showgrounds has been established as an evacuation center for large animals. For assistance, call (805) 681-4332.

Fire activity

The Alisal fire started at 2:30 p.m. near the Alisal Reservoir, fire officials said. Strong winds pushed the fire south toward Tajiguas Landfill and the 101.

Spreading flames prompted officials to shut down the 101 between Pacific Coast Highway and Winchester Canyon/Cathedral Oaks Road around 5:30 p.m., according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire eventually crossed the freeway and made its way to Tajiguas Beach, fire officials said.

Conditions

Much of Santa Barbara County remained under a high wind warning until Tuesday morning, officials said.

Those winds also have prevented aircraft from taking a more active role in fighting the fire. Although ground crews were in place, the high winds prevented aircraft carrying water or flame retardant from taking off.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.