(Update) 2:44 p.m.– The Santa Barbara County Fire Department said Wednesday’s wildland fire in Gaviota was sparked by a large bird that flew into a high-voltage power line.
The fire department said the bird caught on fire after it came in contact with high-voltage power lines. They said when it fell on the ground it ignited the vegetation below.
(Update) 9:55 a.m. — Santa Barbara County firefighters stopped a vegetation fire at less than an acre Wednesday morning.
Capt. Daniel Bertucelli says the fire was reported east of Highway 101 and Highway 1 through the Gaviota area just before 8 a.m.
When the first crews arrived, they found about a quarter acre of light brush burning slowly.
Firefighters quickly contained the fire. No structures were threatened or damaged and no one was hurt. Fire investigators are looking into the cause.
Santa Barbara County firefighters have recently increased staffing due to fire weather conditions.
Vegetation Fire, Hwy 101 and Hwy 1, Gaviota. #springsinc. 1/4 acre vegetation fire with forward progress stopped.SBC veg response and CalOES supported propositioned task force on scene within minutes. No structures threatened, no injuries reported. Cause is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/87UX2HmzAU
— Daniel Bertucelli (@SBCFireInfo) July 17, 2019
(Update) 9:00 a.m. — California Highway Patrol reports the fire near Highway 101 & State Route 1 is now contained.
CHP says it burned approximately a 1/2 acre of vegetation.
(Original Story) 8:49 a.m. – Santa Barbara County firefighters are responding to reports of a vegetation fire in Gaviota.
Around 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, crews were dispatched to the area just off Highway 101 northbound near the State Route 1 off-ramp for reports of a fire.
No word yet on the size or impact on roadway.
This is a developing story. This story will be updated as more information comes in.
