The Alisal wildfire in Santa Barbara County is at 99% containment. Crews are still looking for scattered hot spots not snuffed out by the rain, but expect to hit 100% later this week. But, work to deal with the fire’s impacts on Highway 101 will be continuing for months.
Crews are working on a number of critical repair projects along the highway in the fire zone. The efforts include clearing and repairing damaged culverts and installing rock netting on hillsides strapped bare by the flames.
The work will mean lane closures, and brief delays for motorists. The $5.7 million project is expected to take around five months.
The nearly 17,000 acre fire started October 11 in the Santa Ynez Mountains, and burned down to the ocean on the Gaviota coastline. It destroyed 12 homes, and closed Highway 101 for three days.
