Hollister Fire prompts evacuations west of Santa Barbara, CA

Near the coast 32 miles west of the city

2:10 p.m. PT March 14, 2022

Tuesday morning at 11:13 Captain Daniel Bertucelli of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department said the Hollister Fire 32 miles west of Santa Barbara, California was still 100 acres. About 175 personnel are assigned and aircraft are available if needed. Crews are reinforcing fire lines in areas inaccessible to dozers.

All evacuation warnings and orders have been lifted.


10:04 a.m. PDT March 13, 2022

Hollister Fire map
Map showing the location of the Hollister Fire at 3:15 a.m. PDT March 13, 2022.

A wildfire 32 miles west of Santa Barbara, California has prompted evacuations in the Gaviota area. In an update Sunday morning at 7:37 Captain Daniel Bertucelli of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department said it had burned 100 acres and aircraft would be available to assist the firefighters. Dozers were used Saturday to construct fireline.

The blaze was reported at 11:35 a.m. on Saturday near Hollister Ranch Road and Del Norte Road, southwest of Solvang. It is near Gaviota State Park within a mile of the Pacific Ocean, west of Highway 101 and south of Highway 1.

At 10 a.m. Sunday Captain Bertucelli said the evacuation order would go from an order to a warning at noon today.

Hollister Fire Santa Barbara California
Hollister Fire. Image by Santa Barbara FD, Daniel Bertucelli, March 12, 2022.

The winds have been very strong in the area. Saturday afternoon the Gaviota weather station recorded 8 to 30 mph winds gusting to 60 mph from various directions. Saturday night the direction became consistent out of the north, as did the speed, 30 to 36 mph gusting up to 60 mph. The relative humidity rose from 20 percent in the afternoon to 91 percent at 8 a.m. Sunday. Overnight cameras showed a marine layer moving into the fire area.

The spot weather forecast is for clear skies on Sunday, 69 degrees, RH of 35 to 40 percent, with ridgetop winds out of the northwest at 20 to 30 mph gusting to 40 mph.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

3 thoughts on “Hollister Fire prompts evacuations west of Santa Barbara, CA”

  1. Wind over rides green up to a certain extent (slope, heavy dead component too). These fires tend to not have much lateral spread unless there’s a cross slope. Sounds like variable wind contributed. One burning period then done. Good training fire!

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  2. Arrive alive!!, An go home alive!!??? ??? It’s going to be a long fire Battle season. Think before you jump into action.

    Martin L. Wheeler
    Iceman⚡️
    Retired:
    Washington State
    Engine 7-11 ??? ??? ??? ?????
    Medic I
    Shalom ✝️????✡️???

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    1. Great advise stay safe to fight another day ! It’s starting to look like you will know the season only by the number not the season. God Bless !

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