Multiple Brush Fires Break Out in Lompoc Area

[UPDATE]: As of Saturday morning, 441 total acres burned, with 60 percent containment. High humidity, fog, and low temperatures created favorable conditions, helping crews fight what is known as the Rucker Fire. Firefighters managed to physically walk the perimeter overnight, Santa Barbara officials said. Late Friday night, all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted. About 150 homes, however, are still threatened due to the active fires burning in the containment area. “Right now it’s just the painstaking process of going in and extinguishing all of the small fires going on,” said county fire spokesperson Mike Eliason. “That’s the stuff that’s going to take a little while.”

Weather conditions are expected to be typical Saturday afternoon — 70s with winds in the high teens. Several road closures remain in effect: La Purisima from Rucker Road to Mission Gate; Harris Grade at Burton Mesa and Highway 135; Rucker Road at Calle Pasado. There are more than 500 firefighters from the tri counties on scene. That number will hopefully drop this afternoon, Eliason said. In addition, two fixed wing planes and four helicopters are battling the blaze.

[ORIGINAL POST]: More than half a dozen small but growing wildfires have consumed more than 100 acres near La Purisima Mission and the Mission Hills area and Vandenberg Village, according to Mike Eliason, a public information officer with Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Reports started coming in around 2 p.m. today, and commanders have ordered evacuations for residents east of Harris Grade through Cebada Canyon, he said. The fires have “significant potential” to develop into a major wildfire incident.