Paradise Fire Knocked Down
Tanker and Copters Help Douse Blaze
A fire that started along Paradise Road west of Highway 154 Friday afternoon, September 18, was quickly put down.
The Paradise Fire broke out shortly after 1 p.m. about four miles down Paradise Road from Highway 154, on the south side of the road. Temperatures were in the triple digits and light winds blowing to the east pushed the fire a bit in that direction. Early estimates put the fire at five to seven acres in size.
An air tanker made at least one drop, and helicopters were also called to the fire, which was quickly controlled. Santa Barbara city and county fire personnel were on scene, as was the Vandenberg Hot Shot crew, and crews from the Los Padres National Forest.
By 4 p.m. firefighters were beginning to mop up around the scene. Authorities are letting people drive on Paradise Road. The fire’s cause is still under investigation; a group of investigators were making close examinations near the roadway Friday evening.
