(UPDATE 5 p.m.) – Fire officials said the Rancho Fire on Vandenberg Air Force Base was fully contained shortly after 3 p.m. Friday.
More than 100 firefighters, including some from Santa Barbara County Fire and the U.S. Forest Service, battled the blaze, which broke out Thursday afternoon on the northern part of the base.
“Our partnerships with local and county emergency personnel are vital in fighting wildland fires on Vandenberg,” said Chief Mark Smith, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron battalion chief. “The teamwork and dedication these men and women have shown fighting this fire is the reason we were able to contain it so quickly.”
The cause is under investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY: Crews are nearing full containment of a fire that broke out Thursday afternoon at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The Rancho Fire was reportedly burning in an unpopulated area on the northern part of the base near Point Sal and El Rancho Road. It was first reported at 2:48 p.m.
At last check, the fire had burned about 140 acres. No structures were threatened.
While base officials Friday afternoon could not give an exact percentage for containment, they did say crews were making progress on full containment.
A possible cause has not been released.
