Edhat Staff
A multi-vehicle collision on Highway 154 west of the Summit near Paradise Road resulted in a brush fire and a temporary highway closure on Tuesday.
Emergency crews from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD), Los Padres National Forest (LPF), and California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded at 11:40 a.m. and worked quickly to contain the blaze.
Incident Details
According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, firefighters arrived at the scene to find one vehicle fully engulfed in flames, which had spread to adjacent vegetation.
Initial estimates placed the fire at half an acre with a low rate of spread. Three vehicles were reportedly involved in the crash, and two individuals sustained moderate to severe injuries. The injured parties were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital via ground ambulance.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) dispatch reports indicate that the initial collision occurred when a driver lost control on a curve, swerved into a hillside, and caused the fire. The passenger of the first vehicle may have sustained a broken leg during the crash.
Vehicle Collision with Vegetation Fire: Hwy 154 West of the Summit near Paradise Rd. SBC, LPF, and STB Fire on scene. 3 vehicles involved. 2 patients transported by ground ambulance to SB Cottage ER with moderate-major injuries.
On arrival, fire personnel noted a vehicle fully… pic.twitter.com/UUohwV9QdB— Scott Safechuck (@SBCFireInfo) June 10, 2025
Containment Efforts
Firefighters quickly began working to halt the fire’s progress, employing hose lines, hand tools, and aerial water drops coordinated by SBC Air Support Unit’s (ASU) Copter 964.
Forward progress on the vegetation fire was successfully stopped at 12:35 p.m. Crews will remain on the scene to extinguish hot spots and conduct mop-up operations. By mid-afternoon, Copter 964 was released from the incident.
Traffic Impacts
Due to the collision and ensuing fire, Highway 154 was closed in both directions near Paradise Road. As reported by Caltrans, there was no immediate estimate for reopening the roadway.
Drivers were advised to use US 101 for north-south travel as an alternative route. Additional closures were reported eastbound near Highway 246 as emergency personnel worked to clear the area and ensure safety.
Caltrans announced the roadway reopened at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.
Environmental Concerns
While the fire was contained relatively quickly, the incident highlights the ongoing risk of wildfire in the region, especially with dry vegetation along major roadways. Rapid response from local fire agencies, including coordination with aerial support, prevented further damage to the surrounding area.
Next Steps
As of the latest update, firefighters remain on the scene conducting mop-up, while authorities continue to investigate the collision. Motorists are urged to stay clear of the area until authorities reopen highway access.
Emergency responders have not yet released further details about the conditions of the individuals transported to the hospital or the timeline for reopening the affected portion of Highway 154. Motorists are encouraged to stay tuned to updates from California Highway Patrol and Caltrans for traffic advisories.
Thank heaven that there were no deaths this time. To all who regularly travel over the the pass be careful every drive and watch out for others and yourself being complacent about how tenuous your safety is along this route. It is only as safe as the people who drive it.
What do I thnk? I think 154 is a clear and present fire danger. When it’s windy, the pass is acts like a venturi high-pressure bellows; it would only take one of these accidents to incinerate Goleta Valley. The Painted Cave FIre of 1990 burned all the way to 101 in an hour. The farms & orchards that helped prevent spread are gone. Homes, busineses and people are at risk to some drunk or hot-rocket driver’s carelessness. A fire department tanker should be stationed at the Painted Cave intersection during fire season. Penalties for drivers intensifying the risk of fire-starting should be tripled & a roadside-work requirement penalty added.
There are so many drivers hitting the Pass these days that are out of control and don’t know how to drive a mountain road. It’s not a 101, but some folks simply don’t get that. And I agree it’s becoming a fire hazard issue for our communities as well.