Fires

See dramatic photos, video of Alisal Fire burning in Santa Barbara County

By Sara Kassabian and Kaytlyn Leslie
Santa Barbara County Fire Department firefighters battle a roadside fire off Calle Real near Refugio Road in Santa Barbara County. The Alisal Fire had burned 14,500 acres as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department firefighters battle a roadside fire off Calle Real near Refugio Road in Santa Barbara County. The Alisal Fire had burned 14,500 acres as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department

A crucial stretch of Highway 101 remained closed Wednesday as the Alisal Fire continued to scorch Santa Barbara County, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The fire had burned 14,500 acres and was 5% contained as of 7 a.m. Wednesday, agency public information officer Mike Eliason said via Twitter.

Meanwhile, Highway 101 was closed in both directions Wednesday morning from just north of Goleta to the junction with Highway 1 at Las Cruces near Gaviota, Caltrans said.

And area residents have been ordered to evacuate, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday, firefighters were hoping for favorable winds to help them make progress controlling the blaze with fixed-wing aircraft, Santa Barbara County Fire said in a tweet.

There were 1,300 firefighters on the scene, the agency said via Twitter.

Here are some of the most dramatic photos and videos of the wildfire, captured by Central Coast residents.

Santa Barbara County Fire Department hand crew members burn off pockets of grass along northbound Highway 101 north of Arroyo Hondo Canyon. The Alisal Fire had burned 14,500 acres as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department hand crew members burn off pockets of grass along northbound Highway 101 north of Arroyo Hondo Canyon. The Alisal Fire had burned 14,500 acres as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Having jumped the four lanes of Highway 101, the Alisal Fire continues to burn early Tuesday morning along the Gaviota Coast. The fire had grown to 6,000 acres and was 0% contained as of 7 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.
Having jumped the four lanes of Highway 101, the Alisal Fire continues to burn early Tuesday morning along the Gaviota Coast. The fire had grown to 6,000 acres and was 0% contained as of 7 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A Croman Corp. Sikorsky SH-3 helicopter heads back to refill its tankand head back to make another water drop on the Alisal Fire burning in Santa Barbara County.
A Croman Corp. Sikorsky SH-3 helicopter heads back to refill its tankand head back to make another water drop on the Alisal Fire burning in Santa Barbara County. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A deer scurries near a recently burned area off Refugio Road in Santa Barbara County. The Alisal Fire had burned 14,500 acres as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021.
A deer scurries near a recently burned area off Refugio Road in Santa Barbara County. The Alisal Fire had burned 14,500 acres as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A Santa Barbara County Fire Department hand crew works on a hilltop to battle the Alisal Fire.
A Santa Barbara County Fire Department hand crew works on a hilltop to battle the Alisal Fire. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Santa Barbara County Fire Department hand crew members burn off pockets of grass along northbound Highway 101 north of Arroyo Hondo Canyon. The Alisal Fire had burned 14,500 acres as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department hand crew members burn off pockets of grass along northbound Highway 101 north of Arroyo Hondo Canyon. The Alisal Fire had burned 14,500 acres as of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Firefighters extinguish flames from the Alisal Fire along Highway 101 southbound at Vista Point, north of Refugio State Beach on Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters extinguish flames from the Alisal Fire along Highway 101 southbound at Vista Point, north of Refugio State Beach on Tuesday afternoon. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
Alisal wildfire burns near a ranch off Highway 101.
Alisal wildfire burns near a ranch off Highway 101. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
Santa Barbara County firefighters respond to the Alisal Fire burning late Monday night near Refugio Road. The blaze grew to 6,000 acres overnight.
Santa Barbara County firefighters respond to the Alisal Fire burning late Monday night near Refugio Road. The blaze grew to 6,000 acres overnight. Ryan Cullom Noozhawk
A aerial view shows the Alisal Fire burning in the hills north of Santa Barbara Tuesday morning.
A aerial view shows the Alisal Fire burning in the hills north of Santa Barbara Tuesday morning. Los Padres National Forest
Flames burn on a hillside Monday night.
Flames burn on a hillside Monday night. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire
Santa Barbara County Fire Department firefighters knock down flames while standing in the northbound lanes of Highway 101 near Refugio Beach early Tuesday morning. The Alisal Fire had grown to 6,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department firefighters knock down flames while standing in the northbound lanes of Highway 101 near Refugio Beach early Tuesday morning. The Alisal Fire had grown to 6,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Santa Barbara County Fire Department firefighters knock down flames while standing in the northbound lanes of Highway 101 near Refugio Beach early Tuesday morning. The Alisal Fire had grown to 6,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. The fire forced the full closure of the highway.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department firefighters knock down flames while standing in the northbound lanes of Highway 101 near Refugio Beach early Tuesday morning. The Alisal Fire had grown to 6,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. The fire forced the full closure of the highway. Mike Eliason Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A column of smoke rises from the Alisal Fire on Monday evening. As of Tuesday morning it has grown to 6,000 acres, fire officials say. Highway 101 was closed in both directions north of Santa Barbara due to the fire.
A column of smoke rises from the Alisal Fire on Monday evening. As of Tuesday morning it has grown to 6,000 acres, fire officials say. Highway 101 was closed in both directions north of Santa Barbara due to the fire. Santa Barbara County Fire
Emergency crews gather Tuesday morning to prepare to battle the Alisal Fire. Highway 101 was closed in both directions north of Santa Barbara due to the fire.
Emergency crews gather Tuesday morning to prepare to battle the Alisal Fire. Highway 101 was closed in both directions north of Santa Barbara due to the fire. City of Goleta

Do you have photos or videos of the Alisal Fire? Email them to Tribune reporter Sara Kassabian at skassabian@thetribunenews.com.

This story was originally published October 12, 2021 at 10:36 AM with the headline "See dramatic photos, video of Alisal Fire burning in Santa Barbara County."

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