Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
8:00 p.m., October 31, 2024
The “Rest Incident” fire is now fully contained at 5 acres, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
A hand Crew with a water tender will stay on scene overnight to ensure fire stays in its containment lines.
Northbound lanes of Highway 101 have been fully reopened.
Brush Fire Near Gaviota Tunnel Shuts Down Northbound Highway 101
By the edhat staff
3:00 p.m., October 31, 2024
A fast-moving vegetation fire ignited near the Gaviota Tunnel along the 101 Northbound, sparking a swift response from local and state firefighting agencies.
The blaze, first reported at approximately 2:10 p.m. Thursday, has already consumed between 5 to 7 acres with the potential to spread to between 50 and 100 acres, according to officials from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
Veg. Fire- SBC, LPF and CHP are on scene of a vegetation fire 101 NB JSO the Gaviota Tunnel. 5-7 acres with potential for 50-100. Aircraft on scene. Ground access difficult due to possible power lines down. Will update with info as it become available. C/T 1410. pic.twitter.com/EI6UDLUW7x
— PIO (@PIOSBCFireInfo) October 31, 2024
Responding agencies, including the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBC), Los Padres National Forest (LPF), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), have encountered challenges accessing the fire due to difficult terrain and the presence of potentially downed power lines in the vicinity.
Aircraft has been deployed to the scene and authorities are closely monitoring the blaze and are prepared to issue further instructions or evacuation orders should the need arise.
As of 3:30 p.m., the SBC Fire states aircraft are keeping the fire between 5 to 7 acres. Hose lays from engines have began and a hand crew is making access where it’s safe to do so.
CHP has closed the northbound lanes of Highway 101 just south of the Gaviota Tunnel. The closure area is from Mariposa Reina to the separation with State Route 1 north of the Gaviota Tunnel. Motorists are advised to avoid the area or use Highway 154 as an alternate route.
While downed power lines have been reported in the area, the official cause of the fire is under investigation.
This is a developing story, updates will be posted as soon as they are available.
