#SherpaFire-Santa Barbara County FF's work structure protection in the El Capitan Ranch Campgrounds Thurs night. pic.twitter.com/hltx6x3E6I
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) June 17, 2016
About 140 homes and ranches were considered at risk where a 1,400-acre fire was tearing through coastal canyons west of Santa Barbara, scorching an area that hadn't burned in 60 years.
The chaparral was "very dry, very dead-on-the-ground fuel for the fire," said Gina DePinto, communications manager for Santa Barbara County.
About 800 firefighters struggled to reach the narrow, brush-choked coastal canyons to attack the flames. A fleet of aircraft had better luck Thursday but nightfall brought a rise in gusty, erratic "sundowner" winds that had pushed the blaze Wednesday night.
Fire officials said early Friday that the blaze had calmed a bit after surging Thursday night.
For a second night, a freeway, U.S. 101, was closed in the area.
#LaSherpaIncident fire continues to burn Wednesday evening. pic.twitter.com/qO0Ptv5XtD
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) June 16, 2016
Hundreds of people were forced from campgrounds after the fire erupted Wednesday.
Charlie and Elizabeth Hatten spent the night at a shelter after a park ranger woke them as they camped at El Capitan State Beach.
"The flames looked so close. You couldn't see the moon anymore," Charlie Hatten told the Los Angeles Times.
The campgrounds remained closed but fire officials said nobody remained at the shelters Thursday.
