Fire prompts evacuations near Santa Barbara

SANTA MARIA, CA

WILDFIRE RESOURCE GUIDE: Protect your home and family
MOST POPULAR: Video, stories and more
SIGN-UP: Get breaking news sent to you from ABC7 News

The order was issued Tuesday afternoon, hours after authorities closed nearly 111 square miles of the Los Padres National Forest.

Forest Service spokesman Maeton Freel says most of the closed area is inaccessible backcountry. He says ranchers are moving their horses and other livestock.

The 4-day-old wildfire in the San Rafael Wilderness area of the forest has scorched more than 32 square miles of brushy canyon lands and crested a ridge a few miles from the ranches.

More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze. It's 10 percent contained.

MORE: ABC7's Bay Area wildfire resource guide and safety tips
FULL COVERAGE: Latest California wildfire headlines

       Today's latest headlines | ABC7 News on your phone
Follow us on Twitter | Fan us on Facebook | Get our free widget

Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.