A vegetation fire burning on Hollister Ranch remained at 100 acres Monday morning, with containment rising to 50%, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
The blaze was being fought mainly by engine crews, hand crews and bulldozers, with aircraft assisting as needed, fire Capt. Daniel Bertucelli said.
“Strong winds in the area are testing the fire lines,” he added.
An evacuation order for about 30 homes in the rural community along the Gaviota coast was reduced to a warning at noon, Bertucelli said.
The warning is expected to be dropped at 8 a.m. Monday.
“Crews will work overnight to increase containment,” Bertucelli said.
There have been no reports of injuries or structures damaged due to the fire.
Gaviota State Beach Road, the day-use area and trails in the area are closed.
Bertucelli posted video online showing heavy flames churning through the chaparral.
“This fire behavior is not typical of fire in March,” he said. “Please be fire-aware, and limit opportunities for fires to start.”
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for much of Santa Barbara County through 3 a.m. Monday, calling for 20-35 mph winds with gusts to 45 mph, and isolated gusts to 50 mph near Gaviota.
“The good news is that these winds are pushing cool damp marine air from the Central Coast into the Hollister Fire,” according to the forecast discussion from the weather service in Oxnard.
Temperatures Monday should be in the mid-70s, with overnight lows in the mid-40s.
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— Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
