Foothill Fire

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Foothill Fire ignited at approximately 4:00 p.m. to 5:18 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, near the intersection of Foothill Road and Kirschenmann Road in the Cuyama Valley, Santa Barbara County.
Size and Containment: As of Saturday morning, May 23, 2026, the fire has burned 904 acres and is between 90% and 95% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially reported as a 5-acre grassland and brush fire, it rapidly expanded to 250 acres within a few hours and reached 904 acres by Wednesday. The fire burned at a moderate to dangerous rate of spread, driven by warm weather, dry fuels, and shifting winds, particularly in steep terrain and heavy juniper vegetation.
Containment Efforts: The response is operating under a Unified Command that includes the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Kern County Fire, and the Los Padres National Forest. Up to 275 firefighters were assigned to the incident, supported by air assets including helicopters and retardant-dropping air tankers. Crews are currently focused on strengthening containment lines and mopping up remaining hot spots.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Initially, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for zones SBC-177 and SBC-185, impacting areas north of Castro Canyon, east of Perkins Road, and south of the Cuyama Valley. As of May 23, all evacuation orders have been lifted.
Evacuation Warnings: Evacuation warnings were previously in place for areas including south of Foothill Road at the County Line, east of the Cuyama River, and west of Quatal Canyon. As of May 23, all evacuation warnings have been lifted.
Estimated Number of People Impacted: At the peak of the incident, approximately 66 people were under mandatory evacuation orders, and another 163 individuals were in evacuation warning areas.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: The American Red Cross provided sheltering support for displaced residents. Residents can continue to monitor updates via Santa Barbara County's ReadySBC alerts.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Hard closures were initially implemented at Highway 166 and Bell Street, Highway 166 and Kirschenmann Road, and Highway 33 and Foothill Road.
• As of late Thursday, State Route 166 and other affected roadways have been reopened to traffic.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE's Official Website
• Santa Barbara County's ReadySBC
• Santa Barbara County Fire Department

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Foothill Fire.
Structures Impacted: Officials report that one structure has been destroyed by the fire.
School and Business Closures: No widespread school or business closures have been reported in connection with this incident.
Notable Impacts: The fire significantly impacted the rural Cuyama Valley, burning through steep terrain and heavy juniper vegetation, requiring extensive ground and air resources to protect nearby properties.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No significant power outages have been reported in connection with this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Standard fire restrictions and burn bans remain in effect for the region due to the heightened fire danger.
Air Quality: Smoke and dusty conditions impacted the Cuyama Valley during the fire's peak. Residents with respiratory issues are advised to remain cautious as crews continue mop-up operations.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With the fire now at 90% to 95% containment, firefighters have successfully halted the fire's forward progress. Crews will remain on the scene through the weekend to patrol the area and mop up hot spots 50 to 100 feet interior from the containment lines to ensure no flare-ups occur.
Weather and Wind Warnings: While shifting winds and hot, dry, and dusty conditions challenged firefighters earlier in the week, the current weather has allowed crews to solidify their lines. Fire personnel remain prepared for any changing fire conditions or shifting winds.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The official cause of the Foothill Fire remains under investigation.
Weather and Climate: The fire's rapid growth was fueled by dry vegetation and extreme fire weather conditions typical of Southern California's shifting climate. High temperatures, low relative humidity, and unpredictable, shifting winds exacerbated the fire's intensity, turning a small 5-acre brush fire into a nearly 1,000-acre blaze in less than 24 hours.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE's Official Website
• Santa Barbara County's ReadySBC
• Santa Barbara County Fire Department