UPDATE (6:42 p.m.) - Fire officials report that forward progress of the fire has been stopped.
All aircraft and bulldozers have been released, but firefighters will remain on scene to continue work on containment lines.
___
UPDATE (6:19 p.m.) - A string of seven roadside fires that broke out along Highway 246 on Thursday has burned an estimated 64 acres, according to Santa Barbara County Fire officials.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
___
UPDATE (6:02 p.m.) - A woman was taken to the hospital after colliding with a fire engine that was parked along Highway 246 where crews were fighting the roadside fires.
No firefighters were hurt, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
___
UPDATE (5:23 p.m.) - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's officials and the Lompoc Police Department are reporting phone outages as a result of the fire in the Buellton, Solvang, and Lompoc areas.
911 lines are reportedly down. However, officials say text to 911 service is working.
Non-emergency calls can be directed to sheriff's dispatch at (805) 683-2724.
___
UPDATE (5:01 p.m.) - The fires have burned an estimated 25-30 acres, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The westbound #2 lane of Highway 246 is closed near Drum Canyon Rd./Mail Rd.
2nd Alarm Vegetation Fire / #RiverviewInc: Air Attack, two air-tankers, two helicopters assigned. Reported as 7 separate spot fires in the area. Currently no structures threatened. Drift smoke noted in the area, drive w/caution & avoid fire equipment along Hwy 246. pic.twitter.com/D9mdo75RZO
— Scott Safechuck (@SBCFireInfo) October 25, 2024
___
(4:46 p.m.) - Firefighters are responding to several roadside fires along Highway 246 on the west side of Buellton.
The fires were first reported just after 4 p.m. west of Riverview Drive.
According to the California Highway Patrol, traffic along the westbound side of Highway 246 was being affected.
This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
