They had no idea they wouldn’t be able to return. The trio had been camping at Refugio since Thursday and had left their trailer Monday afternoon to venture to a nearby restaurant. Most evacuees had left by midmorning, but Stefanie Alboff and her wife, Stacey Meredith, sat at a table with their 5-year-old son, Nash, unsure what to do.
Nearly 20 people spent the night at an evacuation center at Dos Pueblos High School, including 14 whose southbound Amtrak train came to a halt because of the flames, according to Jessica Hodge, a disaster program manager for the Red Cross. One abandoned structure has been destroyed by the fire, according to the city of Goleta, which is not currently under threat. Santa Barbara County Animal Services has activated its fire response residents who need help evacuating animals should call (805) 681-4332. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services reported that the evacuation orders affect thousands of residents.Īn evacuation warning remained in place north of El Capitan Campground and east to Dos Pueblos Canyon. The order was expanded to include El Capitan State Park and the El Capitan Campground. Evacuation orders were in effect for residents in that area, including Arroyo Hondo, Tajiguas and Arroyo Quemada. Officials say most of the homes threatened by the fire are in Refugio Canyon. The railroad operator also halted Coast Starlight service between Emeryville and Los Angeles, with passengers rerouted on alternative transportation when possible. Service on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner was canceled between Goleta and San Luis Obispo through at least Wednesday, spokesperson Olivia Irvin said. Railroad tracks in the area are closed to both freight and passenger trains, officials said. In a tweet, CHP advised travelers: “Expect heavier than normal traffic.”
State Route 154, an alternate route, was congested because of the freeway closure, officials from the Santa Barbara California Highway Patrol said. Firefighters were working to tamp down hot spots, with the goal of reopening one lane in each direction sometime during the day, Mike Eliason, spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, said Tuesday. It remained closed in both directions Tuesday morning, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.įlames had jumped the freeway in several areas. Three hours later, spreading flames prompted officials to shut down the 101 between Pacific Coast Highway and Winchester Canyon/Cathedral Oaks Road. Strong winds pushed the fire south toward Tajiguas Landfill and the 101 Freeway.
Monday near the Alisal Reservoir, fire officials said.