Firefighters are dealing with extreme heat today as they try to get full containment of Santa Barbara County’s Sherpa brush fire.
The fire has burned nearly 7900 acres of land in the mountains west of Goleta. It’s now 54% contained. Firefighters got a break overnight, when wind from the north pushed the flames back into previously burned areas.
A Red Flag alert for sundowner winds, high heat, and low humidity is in place. This is expected to be the hottest day of a heat wave.
The FAA imposed temporary flight restrictions around the fire zone, as well as West Goleta, and the fire command post at Dos Pueblos High School. The flight restrictions include manned aircrafts, as well as drones. Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for residents of about 270 homes, and ranches. No homes have been lost.
About 2,000 people are now involved in fighting the fire, which started last Wednesday afternoon. The cause is under investigation, but it’s not believed to be suspicious in origin.
