UPDATE: Alisal Fire grows to at least 6,000 acres, 0% containment

This story was last updated at 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12. For the latest updates on the fire, click here.

UPDATE (7:20 a.m.) - Santa Barbara County Fire officials report that the flames overnight have now spread to 6,000 acres with still 0% containment.

600 firefighters are on scene, and one building has been reported to have burned down.

Earlier evacuations are still in order.
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UPDATE (9:46 p.m.) - The Alisal Fire has now burned at least 3,700 acres with 0 percent containment according to fire officials.

Officials say the fire has burned south toward the Tajiguas Landfill. The wildfire jumped Hwy 101 at Tajiguas Beach. Hwy 101 remains closed in both directions.

Strong wind speeds at about 30 to 35 miles per hour are boosting the fire's rapid growth, fire officials say, with gusts coming at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

Right now, officials say 125 crew members are fighting the fire. Fire crews remain grounded as aircraft are unable to take off in the current windy conditions. A high wind warning will continue through much of Santa Barbara County through Tuesday morning.

Firefighters are working to protect buildings in the area. Up to 100 buildings, including ranches and homes, may be threatened by the blaze, officials report.

For the most up-to-date evacuation information, residents are encouraged to visit readySBC.org.
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UPDATE (6:34 p.m.) - More evacuations are being ordered because of the Alisal Fire burning in southern Santa Barbara County.

New evacuations include El Capitan State Park and the El Capitan Campground. The areas of Refugio Canyon, Arroyo Hondo, Tajiguas and Arroyo Quemada were previously ordered evacuated.

An evacuation warning is also in effect for the area of El Capitan north of the campground and east to Dos Pueblos Canyon.

The fire, which broke out shortly after 2 p.m. in the area of West Camino Cielo and Refugio Road, had burned at least 1,000 acres as of 6:30 p.m., according to Los Padres National Forest spokesperson Andrew Madsen.

He says the fire burned fast toward the ocean, throwing out flames a mile ahead of the main fire.

Madsen says the area hasn't burned since 1958 but that it is burning toward the 2015 Sherpa Fire burn scar which hasn't seen much new growth.

At least 200 firefighters are reportedly at the scene with another 250 expected to arrive throughout the evening.
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UPDATE (5:29 p.m.) - According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, Highway 101 will be closed between Highway 1 and the Winchester Canyon/Cathedral Oaks Road interchange.

The fire is reportedly moving toward Highway 101.

The freeway will be closed in both directions.
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UPDATE (5:10 p.m.) - A temporary site for Alisal Fire evacuees is being set up at the Dos Pueblos High School upper parking lot at 7266 Alameda Ave. in Goleta.

Evacuees will be able to get more information from personnel on-site.
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UPDATE (4:35 p.m.) - An evacuation order for areas near the Alisal Fire has been updated to include Refugio Canyon.

Anyone with livestock can take their animals to the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara.

People may also contact Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332 for assistance evacuating animals.

Click here for an interactive map of the evacuation area.

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UPDATE (4:05 p.m.) - Areas of Arroyo Hondo, Tajiguas and Arroyo Quemada are under evacuation orders, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office says.

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UPDATE (3:56 p.m.) - The fire, dubbed the Alisal Fire by responding crews, has grown to an estimated 50 to 100 acres, fire officials report.

A full fire response, including air support, is in progress, officials say.

Winds were gusting at 35 miles per hour when crews and engines responded to the scene.

CHP has announced that Refugio Rd. off Hwy 101 is fully closed.
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(3:30 p.m.) - Firefighters were responding to a fire in the mountains of Santa Barbara County on Monday afternoon.

The fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. in the area of West Camino Cielo and Refugio Road, directly north of Refugio State Beach.

Smoke could be seen from a PG&E Alert Wildfire camera on Santa Ynez Peak.

Santa Barbara County Fire Department officials said they were assisting the Los Padres National Forest, which was the lead firefighting agency on the fire.

This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.