Nearly three months after being 100 percent contained, National Forest officials have declared the Whittier Fire fully out.
The fire broke out July 8 off Highway 154 between Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez.
It burned more than 18,000 acres and caused more than $38 million in damage.
The fire was said to be 100 percent contained by October 6, but officials say it wasn’t declared fully out until New Year’s Eve.
"We’ve continually monitored the area using infrared aircraft to track hot spots or any fire activity that could be a concern," said Santa Barbara District Ranger Pancho Smith. "Our last flight report yesterday (Sunday) showed zero heat signatures within the fire perimeter, so we’re confident in declaring the Whittier Fire out."
No word yet on what sparked the blaze.
