A brush fire in the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County has blackened about 150 acres of land, and forced some evacuations.
The fire, which is being called the Scherpa Fire, was discovered just after 3:30 Wednesday afternoon off of Refugio Road in the Gaviota area. The fire on the ocean side of the mountains grew quickly, with flames and a huge plume of smoke visible for miles.
Air drops by helicopters, airplanes, and a giant converted DC-10 jetliner slowed the spread of the flames. The fire has burned near some ranches in the area, but so far there are no reports of damage.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for Refugio Canyon, Venadito Canyon, and Las Flores Canyon. Those areas are sparsely populated.
The fire is in rugged terrain which is difficult for firefighters to reach on foot, and in spots where chaparral hasn't burned for years.There’s no word yet on possible containment.
