Small Fire on Gibraltar Road
Reporting Party Claims to Have Seen Meteorite Hit Hill and Start Blaze
A structure fire at 2930 Gibraltar Road reported at 10:47 p.m. Saturday grew to approximately five acres by 11:17 p.m., according to the CHP.
The fire, witnessed by an Independent staff member who lives in the area, could also be seen from Highway 101. Santa Barbara and Montecito fire departments are responding.
The CHP’s incident report Web site states the reporting party tried to put out the blaze single-handedly. He or she told authorities that a meteor hit the hillside and started the fire, and the individual was worried about potential radiation.
Scanner chatter indicates fire agencies are still responding to the incident. Hand crews may be called out.
More information will be released once it’s available.
[UPDATE, 12:43 a.m.]: Santa Barbara City Fire, identifying the incident as a vegetation fire above the 2800 block of Gibraltar Road, reports the fire is under control and has been contained to 2.5 acres. Crews, which battled erratic winds above 20 mph, will remain on scene throughout the night.
