Alamo Fire Now 95% Contained

(Photos: CAL Fire and Mike Eliason / Santa Barbara County Fire Department / Capt. Thanh Nguyen at Garden Grove FD)

Update by Edhat Staff
11:00 a.m., July 16, 2017

Containment is 95% with acres burned at 28,687. Fire crews will remain throughout the fire perimeter in the coming weeks to provide fire suppression repair, remove firefighting equipment, mop up and patrol. Please drive slowly and use caution as emergency crews and equipment are still working in the area.

Update by Edhat Staff
10:00 a.m., July 15, 2017

Overnight, crews continued to make progress constructing and maintaining containment lines. Today, firefighters will continue to strengthen established containment lines, diminish hot spots in the interior of the fire perimeter, and patrol those areas. Containment is 93% with acres burned at 28,687.  Evacuation Warning: Tepusquet Canyon – for residences only.

The road closure has been lifted for Hwy 166. Tepusquet Road from Hwy 166 to Santa Maria Mesa Road is open to residents only.

Update by Edhat Staff
9:00 a.m., July 14, 2017

Overnight, crews continued to make progress constructing and maintaining containment lines. Today, firefighters will continue to strengthen established containment lines, diminish hot spots in the interior of the fire perimeter, and patrol those areas. Containment is 90% with acres burned at 28,687. The previous evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings for the following areas: Blazing Saddle Road, Tepusquet Canyon Road Sound from Blazing Saddle Road to Santa Maria-Mesa Road, White Rock Lane, Colson Canyon and Tepusquet Canyon Road North from Blazing Saddle Road to Hwy 166, Buckhorn Ridge and Pine Canyon Road.

The road closure has been lifted for Hwy 166 from Hwy 101 to New Cuyama Road as of Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 6:00pm.  

Update by Edhat Staff
8:30 a.m., July 13, 2017

The Alamo Fire is now 78% contained and holding at 28,687 acres as of Thursday morning.

Overnight crews made progress constructing and maintaining containment lines. Today firefighters will continue to strengthen containment, diminish hot spots, and patrol areas of the fire’s perimeter.

Update by Edhat Staff
11:00 a.m., July 12, 2017

Crews continue to fight the Alamo Fire burning near Highway 166 and the Twitchell Reservoir. Containment is 65% with acres burned at 28,687. The previous evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings for the following areas: Blazing Saddle Road, Tepusquet Canyon Road Sound from Blazing Saddle Road to Santa Maria-Mesa Road, White Rock Lane, Colson Canyon and Tepusquet Canyon Road North from Blazing Saddle Road to Hwy 166, Buckhorn Ridge and Pine Canyon Road.

Partial closure of 166, Colson Road, White Rock Road, and Tepusquet. Soft closure Tepusquet @ Mesa Rd., Tepusquet at Hwy166, 101 & Bull Rd @ 166. 

Update by Edhat Staff
10:00 a.m., July 11, 2017

The Alamo Fire is now 45% contained and holding at 28,926 acres as of Tuesday morning.

Overnight, fire activity remained minimal, with some fire backing down slopes into canyons. Firefighters have been successful in increasing containment lines. There is lingering smoke throughout the fire area. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the 80’s with low relative humidity. Challenges remain due to steep and rugged terrain.

State Route 166 is closed from the junction of Hwy 101 to SR 166 to Perkins Road in New Cuyama. Tepusquet at Santa Maria Mesa Road remains closed to travelers except for emergency traffic. Sheriff Office is issuing has issued an evacuation order for the areas of Blazing Saddles, Pine Canyon, Buckhorn Ridge, Tepusquet to Santa Maria Mesa Rd, Colson and White Rock Roads. Leave Now.

Update by Edhat Staff
10:00 a.m., July 10, 2017

The Alamo Fire is now at 28,926 acres with 20% containment.

An evacuation order remains in effect for Tepusequet Canyon from Blazing Saddle Drive to Santa Maria Mesa Road, White Rock Lane and Colson Canyon, Pine Canyon and Buckhorn Ridge.  For evacuation information assistance, contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 683-2724.   

Update by County of Santa Barbara
11:41 a.m., July 9, 2017

As of 7 a.m. on July 9, 2017, an estimated 24,000 acres have burned in the Alamo Fire with 10% containment. There are over 600 firefighters battling this fire. No residences or structures have been reported as being lost. An evacuation order remains in effect for Tepusequet Canyon from Blazing Saddle Drive to Santa Maria Mesa Road, White Rock Lane and Colson Canyon, Pine Canyon and Buckhorn Ridge. For evacuation information assistance, contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 683-2724. The following roads remained closed: Tepusquet Road from Highway 166 to Santa Maria Mesa Road indefinitely, Highway 166 is closed at east and west of Twitchell both directions, Santa Maria Mesa Road, Tepusquet Road, Pine Canyon Road, and Colson Canyon. A large contingent of fire engines, bull dozers and hand crews as well as significant air resources. The weather conditions are expected to be cooler today than yesterday.

Based on evacuation orders and warnings, a number of people stayed at shelters established by the American Red Cross for the two fires in Santa Barbara County. Last night, 6 individuals stayed at the Red Cross shelter at the Minami Center in Santa Maria, 29 stayed at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, and 5 stayed at the Santa Ynez Elementary School shelter.

For the north region of the County, 4 horses were evacuated to the Elks Rodeo Event Center. The Santa Maria Animal Center is providing shelter for small animals including 39 dogs, 27 cats, and 4 horses. All animal owners are asked to call 805-681- 4332 for assistance or information about evacuating any large animals. Small animals may be taken to the Santa Maria Animal Center at 548 W. Foster Road.

Update by Edhat Staff

6:00 p.m., July 8, 2017

The Alamo Fire is experiencing significant growth with a lot of smoke visible from the city and across the county down to Santa Ynez Valley. The fire is burning in remote canyon areas with a lot of fuel that has not burned in many years. 

Current Conditions:

• The fire is now 19,000 acres, 10% containment.

Evacuation Warning & Orders: 

• Sheriff Office is issuing has issued an evacuation order for the areas of Blazing Saddles, Pine Canyon, Buckhorn Ridge, Tepusquet to Santa Maria Mesa Rd, Colson and White Rock Roads. Leave Now.
• If you require assistance evacuating small and large animals, please call County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332. Call ahead, but small animals are being taken to Santa Maria Animal Center, 548 W. Foster Rd., Santa Maria. Livestock and large animals are being taken to Elks Unical Event Center (and Rodeo Grounds), Gate 3, 4040 Hwy 101, Santa Maria. 

Update by Santa Barbara County 
9:00 a.m., July 8, 2017

Crews continued to fight the Alamo Fire burning near Highway 166 and the Twitchell Reservoir. The fire jumped Oak Canyon overnight, and crews will spend today protecting Tepusquet Canyon where there is a community of approximately 100 homes. High heat and low humidity with winds from the northeast are expected to continue throughout the day.

INCIDENT INFORMATION:

• Acres burned: 5,905
• Containment: 10%
• Personnel and equipment: Current personnel and equipment includes 1,000 firefighters, four fixed-wing planes and five helicopters. Incident command has ordered four dozer strike teams, ten hand crew strike teams, five type III engines, and five water tankers.
• Cause: Under investigation

EVACUATION ORDERS AND WARNINGS:

• An Evacuation Order has been issued for the following areas:
• Blazing Saddle Drive
• Buckhorno   
• White Rock Lane
• Tepusquet Road – south of Blazing Saddle Drive to Santa Maria Mesa Road.

For evacuation assistance, contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 683-2724.

An evacuation warning means there is a strong likelihood that there will be a risk to life and property, and residents in the warning area should take this time to prepare to leave quickly if given a mandatory evacuation order. Time should be taken to gather family members, pets, valuables, and important paperwork/documents. An individual or family should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. However, if anyone feels threatened, do not wait for an evacuation order – leave immediately.

ROAD CLOSURES:

• Tepusquet Road from Highway 166 to Santa Maria Mesa Road

SHELTERS:

• Red Cross shelter at the Minami Community Center – 600 Enos Street, Santa Maria. Large and small animals are not allowed.
• Six evacuees sheltered Friday night.

ANIMALS:

• Please call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805)681-4332 before bringing animals or pets to any shelter.
• Large animals may be taken to the Elks Unical Event Center & Rodeo Grounds, Gate 3, located at 4040 Highway 101 in Santa Maria. Six large animals were received on Friday, July 7.
• Small animals may be taken to the Santa Maria Animal Center, located at 548 Foster Road in Santa Maria.

For information and fire updates, the public can go to www.CountyofSB.org or call 211 within the 805 area code. Outside the 805 area code, dial toll free (800) 400-1572. Fire updates are also posted to the County’s Twitter and Facebook pages at “CountyofSB.” 

Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to sign up for “Aware and Prepare” emergency alerts at www.awareandprepare.org.

The Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Center has been activated as well as the Joint Information Center to provide county residents and visitors with updated information.

Mike Eliason / SBCFD Photo

Update by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
12:43 a.m., July 8, 2017

Evacuation Order Expanded for Alamo Fire 

An Evacuation Order has been issued for Tepesquet Road south of Blazing Saddle to Santa Maria Mesa Road as well as White Rock Lane and Colson Canyon. This alert was sent to 287 phone lines. Deputies and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers will be going to residences in this rural area to make sure they know they need to evacuate. Residents who live in this area are advised to leave immediately.

For those who must evacuate and need a place to go, a Red Cross shelter is located the Minimai Center at 600 Enos Street in Santa Maria. 

If you require assistance evacuating small and large animals, please call County Animal Services at 805-681-4332. Large animals can be taken to the Elks Rodeo Ground, Gate 3, 4040 Highway 101, Santa Maria Small animals can be taken to the Santa Maria Animal Center on 548 W. Foster Road.

We will let you know if there are any additional evacuation updates.

Vegetation Fire- #AlamoFire – Firefighters work along Highway 166 east of Santa Maria. **Call Newsline for Updates** pic.twitter.com/d4me4LykhY

— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) July 8, 2017

Update by the Edhat Staff
6:45 p.m., July 7, 2017

The Fire has jumped the retardant lines and is burning out of control in Santa Barbara County. approximately 3,600 acres have burned and there is 0% containment. Three hundred residents have been notified by reverse 911 and cell service is currently unavailable in the area, and an evacuation order is in place for residents of the Tepesquet and Buckhorn areas. 

The Minami Center in Santa Maria is currently housing displaced residents. If you require assistance evacuating small and large animals, please call County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332. 

The County has opened a line on 211 for the callers to get more information on the Fire. The County’s website and FaceBook will both have details.

Update by the Edhat Staff
4:30 p.m., July 7, 2017

A mandatory evacuation has just been issued for all residents on Blazing Saddle Drive and White Rock Lane.

By the Edhat Staff
4:12 p.m., July 7, 2017

The Alamo Fire is now burning “out of control” in the northern section of Santa Barbara County near Tepusquet Road.

On Friday afternoon, a brush fire in San Luis Obispo County that started on Thursday afternoon near Twitchell Reservoir jumped the retardant lines and rushed into Santa Barbara County. It’s estimated to currently be burning at approximately 500 acres with no containment around that area, reports Santa Barbara Fire Captain Dave Zaniboni. 

The fire is being pushed by north and northwestern winds towards the Tepusquet Canyon area.

An evacuation warning has been sent out to residents on Tepusquest Road, Blazing Saddle Drive, White Rock Lane, and Colson Canyon Road. Approximately 300 residents were notified with a reverse 911 call, says Zaniboni. 

Edhat will update this article with more information as it becomes available.

Vegetation Fire- #AlamoFire-3,400 acres. A young black bear is driven away from flames near Twitchell Dam. **Call Newsline for updates** pic.twitter.com/qmsLWwUNxP

— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) July 8, 2017