UPDATE: Alisal Fire burns over 16k acres, new evacuation orders in place

UPDATE (8:04 a.m.) - The Alisal Fire has grown to a size of 16,801 acres, officials reported Thursday morning. It remains 5% contained.

1,306 personnel are fighting the blaze.

For the most up-to-date evacuations and an interactive fire map, click here, and for the latest updates, residents can visit readysbc.org.

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UPDATE (5:31 a.m.) - New evacuation orders include the region surrounding the Hwy 101 and SR 1 intersection in Las Cruces, including Vista Del Mar School and Gaviota Beach.

Previous evacuation orders are still in effect.
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UPDATE (5:11 p.m.) - One person has been injured and four buildings have been destroyed by the Alisal Fire, fire officials said on Wednesday afternoon.

One firefighter sustained a traumatic injury while fighting the wildfire. The injury happened yesterday, officials say, and the firefighter was transported to Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital with moderate injuries.

Four buildings have been destroyed by the blaze. Three outbuildings in Refugio Canyon and one abandoned building on Calle Real burned, officials say.

120 buildings remain threatened.

Captain Daniel Bertucelli, Public Information Officer for Santa Barbara County Fire Department, says that crews are at work defending each of the threatened structures from the fire.

The fire has burned 15,422 acres, officials say, and remains at 5% containment.

Bertucelli says crews continue to fight the fire from the ground and the air. Air tankers are working to extinguish the fire at its start, a strategy he called "boxing in the point of origin." This will stop the fire from smoldering and starting new fires that could move in different directions.

Winds are slower than they were when the fire started, but they remain a factor, Bertucelli said, saying that gusts have reached 30 miles per hour on Tuesday.

Crews are actively "working the flanks," Bertucelli told KSBY, following the path of the fire and putting it out from behind.

Highway 101 remains closed in both directions.

The Alisal Fire has burned on both sides of Hwy 101.

"In fact yesterday, I saw fire burning on the beach," Bertucelli said. "Actually at the water's edge of the Pacific Ocean. It was quite a sight to see."

All evacuation warnings remain in effect.

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA. The grant will supply funds for the firefighting efforts in the county.

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(1:36 p.m.) Santa Barbara County Fire officials are continuing to fight the fast-growing Alisal Fire in Santa Barbara County.

The fire broke out on Monday, Oct. 11 at around 2 p.m. in the area of West Camino Cielo and Refugio Road, directly north of Refugio State Beach.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire continues to grow along the Gaviota Coast burning a total of 15,442 acres with 5% containment.

Fire officials say the harsh winds continue to be a challenge. They are working to fight the fire from the air however the winds are making it more difficult.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department has issued an evacuation order for the area of Arroyo Hondo Canyon and Refugio Canyon west of Goleta due to a wildfire. That order is expanded to the area between El Capitan Beach State Park & W Camino Cielo Rd.

An evacuation warning has been issued for the area east of El Capitan Beach State Park, west of Dos Pueblos Canyon Rd, and south of W Camino Cielo, including east of Calle Mariposa Reina, west of Arroyo Hondo.

An evacuation center is located at the Dos Pueblos High School upper parking lot at 7266 Alameda Ave, Goleta. American Red Cross is on-site assisting those in need.

Highway 101 remains closed Wednesday afternoon from the Junction with Highway 1 near Santa Ynez to Cathedral Oaks/Winchester Canyon Road. Highway 154 is the detour or I-5 for larger vehicles, according to Caltrans.

Fire officials say opening the railway and Highway 101 is a high priority.

You can find the most up-to-date information on evacuation orders by visiting readysbc.org.