Mandatory Santa Barbara Evacuations Ordered Saturday

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA — New mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for the areas of Montecito, Summerland and some parts of Santa Barbara city, emergency officials said.

"This includes the area north of Alameda Padre Serra/South Salinas Street and Highway 101, south of 192, east of Mission Canyon Road, and west of Hot Springs/Summit Road," officials said in an emergency message.

In Santa Barbara city, the evacuation area is east of Highway 154 to Mission Canyon Road and north of 192 to East Camino Cielo.

Those in evacuation areas who need transportation help getting out of the area(805) 681-5542 or text (805) 729-6538 with their specific needs. US-101 northbound is closed at Seacliff Road to facilitate new mandatory evacuations.

The Thomas Fire, which is now the third largest in California history, has burned 259,000 acres as of Saturday morning and is currently 40 percent contained. The fire is actively burning in the hot springs drainage and along the north side of the Santa Ynez range, county officials said. The fire is running uphill.

Patch will update this report.

Photo via Ventura County Fire Department