An evacuation order has been issued for areas around the Alisal Fire burn scar.
Residents should leave immediately, officials announced at noon on Monday.
The areas west of Las Flores Canyon, east of Mariposa Reina, south of West Camino Cielo and down to the ocean are included in the evacuation order.
The order comes as a storm heads for the area. Expected heavy rains bring the threat of mudslides to the area razed by the nearly 17-thousand acre wildfire that began Oct. 11, 2021.
Flash flood warning
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the area beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday.
Officials encourage people driving through winding canyon roads to leave the area before nightfall and say that drivers should not be on the roads while it is dark or raining. They also warn residents that strong winds are expected in the area, which can send debris flying near roadways and may bring power outages.
Officials say that on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, commuters who use Hwy 101 along the Gaviota Coast and Hwy 154 should check road conditions before driving and consider working remotely if possible.
Santa Barbara County proclaimed a local emergency in response to the storm which brings flash flood, mud and debris flow potential to the area.
Sheriff's deputies and Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue officials worked to notify residents of the evacuation order on Monday.
Evacuation resources
An Evacuation Center for residents in the area will open at 6 p.m. on Monday, at the SBCC Wake Center located at 300 N. Turnpike Rd. in Santa Barbara. Center information is available by calling the American Red Cross at 805-901-0845.
Residents can find information about animal evacuations by calling Santa Barbara County Animal Services at 805-681-4332. For animal evacuation help after normal business hours, residents can call the Sheriff's non-emergency dispatch line at 805-683-2724 and ask to speak with an on-call Animal Control Officer.
The most up-to-date emergency and evacuation information is available online at readysbc.org/dec-13-storm/.
