Edhat Staff
Update by Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District
11:00 a.m., February 20, 2022
ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO STORM DRAIN FIRES IN CARPINTERIA
Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District is currently investigating fires that broke out in the storm drain system beneath Highway 101 and the 5700 block of Via Real on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 19 and early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 20.
Carpinteria-Summerland firefighters were out picking up dinner Saturday evening when they noticed smoke, called it into the South Coast Dispatch Center and responded to the scene at approximately 5:55 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke and flames coming from two manhole covers and another opening under a bridge along Highway 101 between Bailard and Casitas Pass Rd, as well as along the 5700 block of Via Real.
Southern California Gas was called to the scene and determined no gas lines were involved in the incident.
Carpinteria Sanitary District also responded to investigate whether a broken sewer line could be the source of the fire but that was also ruled out.
Due to firefighting efforts and safety concerns, Highway 101 northbound was shut down at approximately 6:30 p.m. from Bailard to Casitas Pass Rd. The 5700 block of Via Real was also closed to traffic.
The storm drain where the fire occurred is lined with a thick plastic material which caused the fire to continue burning with intensity for several hours. Firefighters were able to gain control and extinguish the flames by 7:45 p.m. Saturday by pumping large quantities of water into the storm drain.
Fire officials coordinated with Caltrans and CHP reopen the northbound lanes of Highway 101 by 9:20 p.m. Saturday. However, Via Real remained closed.
During the first incident, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire was assisted by Montecito Fire Department, Santa Barbara City Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers also responded to the scene to assist with traffic control.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday, local road construction workers reported seeing smoke coming from the storm drain system in the same area.
The closure of Highway 101 northbound from Bailard to Casitas Pass Rd was reissued to allow for emergency operations at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Carpinteria-Summerland firefighters responded to the scene and requested Montecito Fire’s engine that is specially equipped with a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS). Firefighters sprayed the foam into the storm drain to eliminate the fire’s oxygen source and successfully extinguish it.
As a result of this firefighting tactic, foam entered Carpinteria Creek. Environmentalists from the City of Carpinteria and a Santa Barbara County Hazmat inspector determined that the firefighting foam material is an allowable discharge under the State Water Board’s regulations. It is expected to dissipate naturally.
By 5 a.m. Sunday, the closure of Highway 101 northbound was lifted.
The 5700 block of Via Real will be closed until a safety assessment in completed. At this time, community members are asked to please abide by the closure due to potential safety issues along that stretch of road.
Both fires are currently being investigated by Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District. Updates will be provided as they become available.
This incident update was compiled by the Montecito Fire public information office, in coordination with the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District. For media questions, please contact Montecito Fire Public Information Officer Christina Favuzzi at 805-680-5526 or cfavuzzi@montecitofire.com or Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Chief Greg Fish at 818-355-8471 or g.fish@csfd.net.
Update by Montecito Fire Department
5:00 a.m., February 20, 2022
UPDATE 5AM: The northbound lanes of Highway 101 from Bailard to Casitas Pass are open again. The 5700 block of Via Real remains closed. @CSFPD firefighters will stay at the scene to monitor the situation. The cause of this fire is currently being investigated.
Update by Montecito Fire Department
2:50 a.m., February 20, 2022
Highway 101 NB is CLOSED from Bailard to Casitas Pass due to smoke coming from manhole covers. This is the same location as Saturday evening’s incident. Firefighters from @CSFPD and Montecito Fire are on scene, along with @CaltransD5 & CHP. Updates to follow.
Update by Montecito Fire Department
9:19 p.m., February 19, 2022
UPDATE: NB lanes of Highway 101 are back open. 5700 hundred block of Via Real remains closed to traffic for emergency operations. Please drive safely through the area.
Update by Montecito Fire Department
8:30 p.m., February 19, 2022
FFs are investigating the cause of the fire that broke out in a storm drain under Hwy 101 this evening in the Carpinteria area. NB lanes closed until at least 9:30pm. On behalf of all involved agencies, we appreciate your patience as we work to secure the scene & reopen the hwy.
FFs are investigating the cause of the fire that broke out in a storm drain under Hwy 101 this evening in the Carpinteria area. NB lanes closed until at least 9:30pm. On behalf of all involved agencies, we appreciate your patience as we work to secure the scene & reopen the hwy. pic.twitter.com/N5XhzVkWc9
— Montecito Fire (@montecitofire) February 20, 2022
Update by Montecito Fire Department
8:00 p.m., February 19, 2022
UPDATE: Hwy 101 thru Carp to remain closed until at least 9:30PM due to fire in storm drain under the highway. Fire was extinguished by 7:45 p.m. but investigation into the cause is still in progress. Montecito Fire assisting @CSFPD along with @VCFD, @sbsheriff & @CHP_SantaBarb
Update by Montecito Fire Department
6:30 p.m., February 19, 2022
FIRE: Montecito Firefighters are assisting @CSFPD with a fire burning beneath a bridge along Highway 101 northbound through Carpinteria. Highway 101 northbound is closed in the area. Fire reported at 5:55 p.m. in the 5700 block of Via Real, Carpinteria.
Reported by Scanner Andrew
6:00 p.m., February 19, 2022
Carpinteria-Summerland Fire are on scene of a fire from possibly a gas pipe in the 5700 block of Via Real in Carpinteria
Looking at the cameras , both lanes are moving freely.
Oh no no no, I am shocked they chose to use firefighting foam in a pipe that flows to natural waterways!! Firefighting foam contains PFAS, aka “forever” chemicals that never break down and is a major source of environmental (and human!) harm. It is extremely nasty, cancer-causing stuff. Once it gets into natural aquifers and wells, that is it, they are contaminated FOREVER. It was only an approved discharge due to the emergency situation, even then I wish someone would have thought more about the implications and the true level of “emergency”…I hope they will not repeat this treatment and will go the water route again if it flares up. These chemicals are the worst of the worst.
The article says the foam is not an environmental issue. Do you know differently or do you just want to troll.?