Crews contained a fire along the Highway 101 northbound in the Gaviota area Thursday afternoon. It burned roughly 1/2 an acre.
Crews contained a fire along the Highway 101 northbound in the Gaviota area Thursday afternoon. It burned roughly 1/2 an acre. Credit: Santa Barbara County Fire Department photo

Forward progress on a Thursday afternoon vegetation fire west of Goleta was stopped at around 5:20 p.m., according to emergency radio traffic.

The fire burned about 1/2 an acre on the mountainside of the highway, according to Capt. Mike Gray.

Emergency personnel were first called to the area along Highway 101 south of El Capitán State Beach at around 4:26 p.m.

Smoke was visible from Alert Wildfire cameras in the area.

Fire crews responded to a brush fire Thursday afternoon along Highway 101 west of Goleta.
Fire crews responded to a brush fire Thursday afternoon along Highway 101 west of Goleta. Credit: ALERTCalifornia camera

Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews and personnel from other agencies responded to the blaze.

One lane on the northbound side of the highway remained closed just before 6 p.m.

“Motorists are urged to proceed with caution, expect delays, and consider alternate routes if possible,” Gray said. “Grateful for the rapid and effective work of our crews.”

— Noozhawk South County editor Evelyn Spence can be reached at espence@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.