Firefighters continued working Thursday to contain a vegetation fire burning near Los Alamos.

As of Thursday evening, the Drum Fire had blackened 40 acres, with 70% of the blaze surrounded by containment lines as crews continue their chores. 

The two-alarm fire sparked at approximately 5:35 p.m. Wednesday on Drum Canyon Road, southwest of the Los Alamos Cemetery, sending up a large cloud of smoke and forcing the closure of the narrow route. 

By 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, crews had halted the forward progress of the flames and reported containment to be 20%. 

A force of 90 personnel remained assigned to the incident Thursday, working to boost containment and continuing mop-up operations.

“The fire’s looking very good today,” Incident Commander Josh Cazier said during the morning briefing. “We’re going to increase the containment and then assess it through the week.”

The fire was burning in heavy brush and oak woodland, he added. 

County fire engines, hand crews, water tenders and a bulldozer were assigned to the incident Thursday.

Firefighters quickly attacked the flames from both the ground and from above, with multiple aircraft dispatched to assist.

Due to their efforts, authorities did not issue any evacuations.

The blaze reportedly burned less than a mile from the cemetery.

The cause of the fire, which apparently had two starting points, remained under investigation Thursday.

Drum Canyon Road, from Los Alamos to Highway 246 between Lompoc and Buellton, remained closed Thursday due to the firefighting equipment and activity, Lael Wageneck, Santa Barbara County Public Works Department spokesperson, said.