All Evacuations Orders Lifted for Burn Scar Areas

Update by the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management
January 5, 2023 at 9:30am

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with fire agencies and other public safety officials, has announced that as of 9:30 a.m. Jan. 5, 2023, all evacuation orders are lifted for the Thomas, Alisal and Cave fire burn areas in Santa Barbara County.   

Areas placed under evacuation order as of Jan. 4 at 3 p.m. included vulnerable sections of the Thomas Fire Burn Area (specific parcels, please see map), the entire Alisal Fire Burn Area, and the vulnerable sections of the Cave Fire Burn Area (specific parcels, please see map).  Please refer to this map for precise evacuation locations.

While we are able to allow residents to return home, we remind everyone that this was a serious storm that caused impacts across the County. Please be aware of loose and falling rocks, minor landslides, wet road conditions, down trees and lines. 

Refugio Road is closed at this time due to flooding.  Highway 154 is closed in both directions due to rock slides, from 246 to 192.  There is no estimated time on reopening.  Please be advised that areas affected by road closures may not be able to repopulate yet. Check with ReadySBC, CHP and CalTrans for the latest road closure information. 

The Santa Barbara County Type 3 All-Hazard Incident Management Team remains engaged and actively mitigating incidents that occurred as a result of the storm. 

The National Weather Service has advised that the heaviest rains and high winds associated with the current storm have passed through Santa Barbara County. Showers are forecast to continue through Thursday with the possibility of thunderstorms producing short, heavy downpours. However, any additional rainfall is not anticipated to reach critical levels to cause debris flows. 

Another weather system is expected to move through the Santa Barbara County South Coast Sunday through Tuesday. All residents who were asked to evacuate for this most recent storm should remain vigilant and continue to monitor the weather closely.

• Stay alert to changing conditions. If you feel threatened at any time, leave immediately. DO NOT wait for an alert to evacuate.
• Take caution when returning home.  Heavy rainfall may have resulted in movement of debris and road flooding. Expect flooding, slick roads, and debris in the area.
• Be aware that response crews are continuing clean-up, repair efforts, and assessments.

We understand that evacuation orders are burdensome and we appreciate the community’s cooperation in following the guidance to leave yesterday before the more intense rain. 

The evacuation center at Wake Center will be closed. If there are questions concerning animal sheltering, please call (805) 681-4332. 

REGISTER TO RECEIVE PUBLIC SAFETY ALERTS: If you haven’t registered for emergency alerts, please do so at ReadySBC.org. Click on the red icon to register to receive emergency alerts via text, phone call, and email. 

For updated and detailed information, please visit ReadySBC.org or call Santa Barbara County’s Emergency Call Center at (833) 688-5551 or 211.

By the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management
Updated on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 3:00 PM

Evacuation Orders Issued for Alisal, Thomas and Cave fire burn areas

An EVACUATION ORDER has been issued due to an incoming storm Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 10PM, with the potential to produce flooding and mud and debris flows.  This EVACUATION ORDER is effective Immediately and applies to the identified properties and parcels in and around the Alisal, Thomas, and Cave Fire burn scars.

CLICK HERE to view the interactive evacuation map for specific property/parcels that are under this order.

AND click here for Montecito Fire’s Storm Impact Consideration Map.

• Do not attempt to drive while it is dark or raining as roads may be damaged and your car may be swept away by moving water or debris.

• Strong winds are also expected, which can cause debris to fall onto roadways and power outages.

• BE PREPARED to sustain yourself and your household for multiple days if you choose not to evacuate, as you may not be able to leave the area and emergency responders may not be able to access your property in the event of road damage, flooding, or a debris flow.

• For Evacuation Center information, contact the American Red Cross at 805-678-3073.

• For animal evacuation information, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332, Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.

• If you need animal evacuation support outside those hours, please call the County Animal Services after-hours phone line at (805) 683-2724.

PEOPLE EVACUATION INFORMATION

• An evacuation center in the South County has been established for individuals in evacuation areas at the Wake Center 300 N Turnpike Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Please visit www.ReadySBC.org for evacuation center hours.
   
• For more Evacuation Center information, contact the American Red Cross at (805) 678-3073.

ANIMAL EVACUATION INFORMATION

• For animal evacuation information, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332, Monday-Friday. Large animals will be sheltered at Earl Warren Fairgrounds.
   

Watch the full press conference below:

Screenshot of the Alisal Fire Burn Scar between Gaviota State Park and El Capitan (see the interactive map here)

Screenshot of the Cave Fire Burn Scar  (see the interactive map here)

Screenshot of the Thomas Fire Burn Scar  (see the interactive map here)

Actualizado el miercoles, 4 de enero de 2023 a las 3:00 PM

Una ORDEN DE EVACUACIÓN debido a una tormenta entrante el miércoles 4 de enero de 2023 a las 10 p.m., con el potencial de producir inundaciones y flujos de lodo y escombros.  Esta ORDEN DE EVACUACIÓN es efectiva inmediatamente y se aplica a las áreas dentro y alrededor las areas quemadas por los Incendios Alisal, Thomas y Cave.

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para ver el mapa interactivo de evacuación.

• No intente conducir mientras está oscuro o llueve, ya que las carreteras pueden dañarse y su automóvil puede ser arrastrado por agua o escombros en movimiento.
• https://sbcoem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=85bd16aeb11f431787a9ce571096a869También se esperan fuertes vientos, que pueden causar que los escombros caigan sobre las carreteras y cortes de energía.
• ESTÉ PREPARADO para mantenerse a sí mismo y a su hogar durante varios días si decide no evacuar, ya que es posible que no pueda abandonar el área y es posible que los servicios de emergencia no puedan acceder a su propiedad en caso de daños en la carretera, inundaciones o un flujo de escombros.
• Para obtener información sobre el Centro de Evacuación, comuníquese con la Cruz Roja Americana al 805-678-3073.
• Para obtener información sobre la evacuación de animales, llame a Servicios para Animales del Condado de Santa Bárbara al (805) 681-4332, de lunes a viernes de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m.
• Si necesita apoyo para la evacuación de animales fuera de ese horario, llame a la línea telefónica fuera del horario de atención de Servicios para Animales del Condado al (805) 683-2724.