Vegetation Fire Erupts at Vandenberg

[Update: Sunday, 6:15 p.m.]: More than 24 hours after it erupted Saturday evening, the fire has burned 2,200 acres. The fire remains on Vandenberg’s property.

[Original Post]: Santa Barbara County firefighters responded late Saturday afternoon to Vandenberg Air Force Base, where the Canyon Fire broke out, now burning at least 500 acres of vegetation on base property. The blaze is a couple miles from the launch pad of Altas V, which was scheduled to take off Sunday morning but postponed indefinitely.

Overnight Saturday, the fire spread rapidly in a northwest direction. Sunday morning, winds were light but are expected to pick up later this afternoon, when the feds will arrive to assist.

As of 11 a.m. this morning, the fire — at zero percent containment — is expected to remain on Vandenberg property, according to county fire spokesperson Captain David Zaniboni. “They are hoping to keep it that way,” he said. No structures have been threatened.

Three fire engines, two dozers, and one hand crew were on scene last night. As of this morning, state firefighters are assisting county and Vandenberg fire personnel.

The last time the densely brush area burned was in 1977.