Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
4:30 p.m., July 8, 2022
A Santa Barbara County fire investigator suspects a catalytic converter caused the small brush fire near the Highway 101 and Highway 1 interchange Friday.
An update from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) states catalytic materials ejected from a vehicle’s exhaust system were found near the origin of the fire.
“Investigators meticulously combed roadside for evidence to determine fire cause,” said Scott Safechuck, SBCFD spokesperson.
Safechuck shared the below photo and commented on the small size of material found.
Photo: SBCFD
Update by the edhat staff
1:20 p.m., July 8, 2022
Santa Barbara County firefighters are on the scene of a small brush fire near the Highway 101 and Highway 1 interchange just south of Buellton.
At 12:28 p.m., ground crews, dozers, fixed-wing aircraft, and units from the US Forest Service responded to the area for a reported 1/4-acre fire in light to medium fuel.
Dubbed the Park Fire, it quickly grew to one to three acres with the potential to spread to 10 acres. Additional resources were called in as one structure became threatened. The resident was notified and evacuated.
Emergency scanner traffic states that around 1:15 p.m., additional resources were cancelled. The cause is under investigation.
California Highway Patrol has shut down the number three northbound lane of Highway 101. Traffic is backed up in the area.
This is a developing story.
Photos: Mike Eliason / SBCFD
VegetationFire- #ParkFire SBC on scene of a 1-3 acre fire burning near Hwy 101 n/b on the Nojoqui Grade, south of Buellton. C/T 12:23 p.m. 1 structure was threatened and evacuated, however suffered no damage. pic.twitter.com/BS7DXwph4M
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) July 8, 2022
Reported by an edhat reader
Brush fire happening now at the intersection of Highway 1 and 101. Air attack en route.
