Nearly 500 firefighters are battling a brush fire in a remote area of the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County. Close to 900 acres of brush has been blackened by the Front Fire, which is now 30% contained.
It’s burning about 30 miles northeast of Santa Maria, near Rock Front Ranch. Containment could be tough because of rugged terrain.
The fire started Sunday afternoon. The cause is still under investigation.
No structures have been damaged, but some major power lines north of the blaze are at risk. The fire closed Highway 166 overnight, but it reopened this afternoon. It could be late this week before the blaze is fully contained.
