Update by Edhat staff
November 8, 2024, 10:30

As of Friday morning, 70% of the Santa Lucia Fire was contained at 130 acres.

Some sources have been released and Santa Barbara County Fire Rescue crews will be on scene throughout the weekend.

Update by Edhat staff
7 November 2024, 15:45

Santa Barbara County firefighters halted the advance of the Santa Lucia fire near Vandenberg Village and Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc as of 3:10 p.m. Thursday.

All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The southbound crossing from Highway 1 at Santa Lucia Canyon Road is still closed due to brush fires in the area. There is no estimate for reopening at this time.

The Santa Barbara County Call Center is open until 6 p.m. Thursday. For questions, call 1-833-688-5551.

Update by Edhat staff
7 November 2024, 14:40

Mandatory evacuation orders have now been downgraded to evacuation warnings. Click here for the latest map.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reported that the Santa Lucia Fire has reached 130 acres. No injuries or structure damage were reported.

Growing Fire Near Vandenberg Space Force Base Causes Mandatory Evacuations

Update by Edhat staff
13:30, 7 November 2024

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation order for a community near Vandenberg Space Force Base due to a growing brush fire.

An Evacuation Order has been issued for the Lower Vandenberg Village and Providence Landing area and south of Highway 1. If you are in this area, leave immediately.

“Please avoid the Providence Landing area until further notice; evacuations are ongoing and equipment is moving rapidly through the area. We will continue to share updates as soon as possible,” said Raquel Zick with the Sheriff’s Office.

“MANDATORY Evacuation for the following: West of Mercury, Maple High School, Celestrial WY. According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, there is NO time to gather, please leave NOW.

Around 12:30 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office also stated that Maple High School would be evacuated and parents would be transferred to Cabrillo High School, where they could pick up their students.

A temporary evacuation center has been set up at Trinity Church, 500 E. North Avenue in Lompoc.

The fire broke out around 12:09 a.m. at Santa Lucia Canyon Road and Highway 1 near the entrance to the base.

The fire, now called the “Santa Lucia Fire,” has burned between 50 and 100 acres due to high winds and dry conditions and has the potential to spread to 1,000 acres.

This is an evolving story.

Image and video of vegetation fire pic.twitter.com/YMwKEqSRWX

— PIO (@PIOSBCFireInfo) November 7, 2024

Active Bush Fire Near Vandenberg Space Force Base Entrance, Maple High School Evacuated

By Edhat staff
12:25, 7 November 2024

Firefighters and law enforcement are at the scene of an active fire near the entrance of Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc.

Responders received a call around 12:15 Thursday afternoon and arrived at the intersection of SR-1 and Santa Lucia Canyon Road. The road is now closed in that area.

Firefighters from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CHP and Sheriff’s Deputies are on scene.

“Deputies are responding to the Santa Lucia Canyon area in Lompoc with firefighters for a vegetation fire. Please avoid the area,” said Raquel Zick with the Sheriff’s Office.

Nearby Maple High School is currently evacuating students by bus to Cabrillo High School. Maple High School parents are encouraged to travel to Cabrillo for the reunion, Zick said.

Evictions are also continuing at the federal prison staff housing project.

This is an evolving story.