Foothill Fire Prompts Evacuation Orders in Cuyama Valley, Residents Urged to Leave Now

Latest update on the fire can be read here.

A fast-moving vegetation fire near Foothill Road and Kirschenmann Road in the Cuyama Valley triggered evacuation orders Tuesday afternoon, May 19, as firefighters mounted a second-alarm response.

Santa Barbara County Fire reported the fire at 4:03 p.m., with Engine 27 first on scene. The agency said the “Foothill Incident” is burning at a moderate rate of spread, and evacuation orders are in place for the Castro Canyon area.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office issued an Evacuation Order for parts of the Cuyama Valley southeast of Perkins Road, including Castro Canyon, due to the Foothill Fire. “Leave now,” the Sheriff’s Office said, noting the order remains in effect until further notice.

Around 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office updated the evacuation order to include south east of Perkins Rd. to Maudie Peak.

An evacuation warning has been issued for the area south of Foothill Road at the County Line, east of the Cuyama River, and west of Quatal Canyon.

According to wildfire watch group Watch Duty, the fire began at approximately 5 acres, burning west with a structure threat and moving toward Castro Canyon Road. Air tankers and helicopters have been requested, and the incident has the potential to grow to 200–300 acres depending on conditions.

As of 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department confirmed the fire has burned 250 acres and 1 structure  has been destroyed. No injuries have been reported.

Road closures in the area include Bell Street at Highway 166, Kirschenmann at Highway 166, and Foothill at Highway 33.

This is a developing incident; officials urge residents in the affected area to evacuate promptly and others nearby to stay alert through readysbc.org