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Wildfire prompts evacuations on Cal Poly campus

Andy Zink
The Poly Fire as seen from a hiking trail on San Luis Mountain, aka Madonna Mountain.

An intense vegetation fire ignited Tuesday afternoon on the hills above the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo. Two residence halls - Sierra Madre and Yosemite - were evacuated, and officials directed students to the campus's Mott Gym. Cal Poly president Jeffrey Armstrong said all students are safe.

UPDATE 09/27/17, 6 P.M.: With 90 percent containment, Cal Fire says firefighters are close to extinguishing the Poly Fire at 105 acres burned.

UPDATE 09/27/17, 8 A.M.: Cal Fire reports the Poly Fire is 60 percent contained at 95 acres. Water-dropping aircraft is expected to continue flying throughout the day, and full containment expected by Thursday, according to reporting by the campus newspaper.

UPDATE 09/26/17, 8 P.M.: Cal Poly officials sent out an alert saying all evacuation orders have been lifted. The alert reads, "Sierra Madre & Yosemite students can return to their rooms. Slack Street residents can return to their homes. Grand Ave is open." 

UPDATE 09/26/17, 7 P.M.: Cal Fire reports the Poly Fire is now at 97 acres in size, with about 20 percent containment at this hour. "Fire holding to retardant line on the right flank. Crews making access to head of the fire," said a Cal Fire update via Twitter just before 7 p.m.

UPDATE 09/26/17, 6 P.M.: The blaze has grown to an estimated 80 acres, but crews are getting a handle on the fire as wind direction shifted the flames away from campus buildings.  

Cal Fire is on the scene and estimates the blaze at 40 acres. Engine companies from around the region are on their way to assist.

SLO Transit buses are being rerouted and won't service the campus Tuesday evening.

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Follow #Polyfire on Twitter to learn more.