Firefighters trying to control the Whittier brush fire in Santa Barbara County got a break with the weather overnight Saturday into Sunday, when potentially strong sundowner winds in the forecast didn’t materialize.
Flames were once again visible in the mountains northwest of Goleta, but weren’t as widespread as they were Friday night. The fire has burned just over 17,000 acres of land in, and around the Santa Ynez Mountains, and is 36% contained.
Some 1600 personnel are now involved in firefighting efforts, aided by six air tankers and 14 helicopters. Highway 154 from Santa Barbara to Highway 246 remains closed, with no projections on when it may reopen.
Meanwhile, the 29,000 acre Alamo fire northeast of Santa Maria is down 93% contained, and things are going so well that many of the firefighters battling the blaze have been released to go home, or to fight other fires.
