Firefighters on Friday halted the spread of a vegetation fire burning in Refugio Canyon, which began late the previous night on the Gaviota Coast.
Crews held the fire at 86 acres, and were focused on building containment lines Friday afternoon.
Containment stood at 60% at 6 p.m., according to U.S. Forest Service officials.
Firefighters have “guarded optimism” that they can get the fire out quickly, according to Andrew Madsen, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.
“Firefighters are continuing to secure the edge. However, the process is time-consuming due to steep slopes and numerous fingers along the fire perimeter,” the agency said in a message on X.
At 6:45 p.m., evacuation warnings were canceled for residents from the 1300 to the 1500 blocks of Refugio Road and on Venadito Canyon Road.
Earlier Friday, helicopters performed water drops and air tankers laid down retardant lines in the area, but have yet to be called to conduct more drops, Madsen said.
The fire, which was reported shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday, was moving northeast at a “moderate rate of speed” according to a post on X from the Los Padres National Forest early Friday morning.
Los Padres National Forest is fighting the fire in unified command with Santa Barbara County Fire.
Personnel from the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire, Montecito Fire Department, Santa Maria City Fire, Lompoc City Fire, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and the Chumash Fire Department were all assisting, Madsen said.
There were over 200 personnel battling the blaze.
Rancho del Cielo, also known as Reagan Ranch, is about three miles northwest of the fire, higher up the mountains, but the flames were moving northeast away from the property, according to Madsen.
The county’s Air Pollution Control District was reporting good air quality across the county, after winds diminished earlier in the day.
Residents who need assistance evacuating small animals can call 805.681.4332; for large animals call 805.892.4484.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, and no structural damages or injuries have been reported.
