The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has extended the countywide Red Flag Alert through 5 PM today, at which time conditions will again be reassessed.
In addition to current fire and wind conditions, the availability of local firefighting manpower and resources can help determine the issuing of an alert. While all county fire stations are currently operating at full capacity and there are no unconfined fires in the county, some additional resources have been sent to help fight fires further south. Local fire chiefs consider this reason enough to extend the alert, and remind the public to maintain an awareness of current conditions and to avoid extended activity in brushy areas.