Santa Maria, United States - August 30, 2024

A vegetation fire broke out this afternoon near the intersection of Highway 135, Highway 1, and Graciosa Road in Santa Maria Valley, leading to temporary traffic disruptions and a swift response from local firefighting units.

The fire, initially reported to cover a quarter-acre, quickly escalated to an estimated 7.29 acres. Firefighters from Santa Barbara County (SBC) Fire Department and Vandenberg Fire were promptly on the scene, engaging in a direct attack with hose lines deployed on both flanks of the fire. The low rate of spread aided in managing the blaze, though smoke conditions necessitated the partial closure of Highway 135.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was requested to shut down the southbound lane of Highway 135 south of the North Y due to poor visibility caused by smoke. As of the latest update, only one southbound lane remains closed, with expectations for it to reopen within the hour, depending on the fire's containment and smoke clearance.

Fire personnel are currently on site for mop-up operations, focusing on extinguishing remaining hot spots to prevent any flare-ups. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with authorities not ruling out the possibility of it being provoked, based on posts found on social media platforms.