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Cruces Fire near Lompoc closes Highway 1, prompts evacuations

Tyler Pratt/KCBX
Smoke from the Cruces Fire, which has burned 120 acres Wednesday near Lompoc.

UPDATE 07/19/18 9 AM

Calfire has revised the number of acres burned downward to 81 as of Thursday morning, and reports crews are about half-way (47 percent) to containing the blaze. 

UPDATE 07/18/18 5 PM

Calfire reports the forward progression of the fire has been stopped, and the blaze is 20 percent contained. It has burned 120 acres since sparking just before noon. 

The fire started on the outskirts of the unincorporated area of Las Cruces, where Highways 101 and 1 meet. Emergency and fire authorities across Santa Barbara County responded quickly— shutting down Highway 1 from the 101 to Lompoc. Aircraft were quick to arrive to extinguish the blaze and crews on the ground worked through plumes of smoke. It’s a sparsely populated area south of Lompoc, but home to many ranchers. I

NITIAL REPORT

A vegetation fire burning near the 8000 block of San Julian Road has prompted the California Highway Patrol to close Highway 1 between Lompoc and Highway 101. According to Captain Dave Zaniboni of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the fire is growing at a rapid rate of speed. CHP says the fire could grow to 500 or 1,000 acres or more. The area is not highly populated, but evacuations have been ordered in the areas of Hollister Ranch and Gaviota State Beach. Property owners are being allowed into the area with trailers to pick up livestock.

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