UPDATE (2:58 p.m.) - The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a man suspected of starting the Ward Fire. Jose Martin Alvarez-Castro, 30, of Santa Barbara was arrested on suspicion of arson, obstructing a peace officer, and possession of a controlled substance.
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UPDATE (1:11 p.m.) - The Santa Barbara County Fire Department says the Ward Fire is now 75 percent contained. Crews will be on scene the rest of the day. Light to moderate winds are reported in the area.
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UPDATE (10:08 a.m.) - The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reports containment of the fire remains at 50 percent. Fire activity is said to be low. Nine acres have burned.
According to the City of Goleta, forward progress of the fire has been stopped and no homes are threatened.
Approximately 65 firefighters are at the scene, working to complete containment of the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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UPDATE (5:13 a.m.) - The Santa Barbara County Fire Department has now called off their evacuation warning as of 5:04 a.m.
Containment has reached 50%.
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(3:02 a.m.) - A vegetation fire in Goleta has residents under an evacuation warning late Wednesday night.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department gave residents on More Ranch Road in Goleta an evacuation warning, and a few have left already.
Per California's standard evacuation warnings, anyone who needs extra time to leave should do so. This includes those with pets and livestock.
The blaze near La Goleta Gas Storage Field was first reported at 11:40 p.m. The flames spread from the brush into nearby eucalyptus trees, causing several spot fires.
SBCO Fire Public Information Officer Scott Safechuck told KSBY that firefighters are making good progress and that the gas plant is well protected from flames.
While the size of the fire is unknown, it's at the minimum an acre wide.
Along with the county's fire department, Santa Barbara City, Montecito, and Carpenteria Fire Departments are on the scene to help put out the flames.
The fire is not yet under control, and firefighters will be working throughout the early morning hours.
