Thousands of people have evacuated their homes as the so-called “Cave fire” broke out near Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County. Strong winds are hampering efforts to stop the fire from spreading. The Santa Barbara County Fire’s Public Information Office reports that, “4,100 acres with 0% containment. 600 firefighters assigned. No structures (homes) destroyed & no injuries.”
The fire prompted Santa Barbara County officials to declare a local emergency and request that Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaim a state of emergency for the region. The fire is “causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within Santa Barbara County,” the county wrote.
Air pollution levels are also a concern.
#CaveFire– Flames chew their way towards CA Hwy-154 early Tuesday morning east of Painted Cave Road in Santa Barbara County. pic.twitter.com/lHdODUrXGx
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) November 26, 2019
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