Highway 101 Reopens After Dramatic Overnight Closure Due To Brush Fire In Santa Barbara County

A massive flareup of the Sherpa brush fire closed Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County, between Goleta and Buellton overnight. The closure happened during the 8 p.m. hour, with some vehicles getting stuck on the freeway, and being forced to turn around because of the fire's surge at El Capitan State Beach. Traffic was routed over 154 during the overnight hours until the 101 fully reopened at 4 a.m. Friday. The fire, which started Wednesday afternoon in Refugio Canyon, has burned more than 1400 acres of land, and is still zero percent contained.