Santa Barbara County Firefighters are working today, as they were throughout the night, to put out a vegetation fire burning at the south end of Ward Drive, south of Atascadero Creek to the So Cal Gas plant. The fire, which broke out at approximately 11:40 p.m. last night, November 2, 2022, is currently approximately nine acres. Fortunately, forward progress was stopped overnight and no homes are threatened.

Shortly after the blaze started, an Evacuation Warning was issued for residents on More Ranch Road but it was lifted early this morning.

While it was a slow moving fire, it burned with intensity and was fanned by wind and grew in the eucalyptus trees. Click here for a video clip to see a glimpse of what firefighters were up against.

Today firefighters will continue to work together to contain the fire and do extensive mop up as well as remove as many of the tree hazards as they can.

There are approximately 65 firefighters on scene including several hand crews, engine companies and a water tender. A hand crew from Camarillo is assisting as well.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

We will keep you updated of any significant updates. Follow @SBCFireInfo on Twitter for the latest information.

If you are not already signed up for emergency alerts from Santa Barbara County, please take a moment to do so now at ReadySBC.org.  Also, make sure to be signed up for City of Goleta Emergency information as well. Remember if we can't reach you, we can't alert you.

A big thanks to the firefighters for all of their hard work.