Residents and visitors near Las Padres National Forest were evacuated Thursday as a wildfire continues to ravage thousands of acres near Santa Barbara.
The so-called Sherpa Fire has consumed 1,700 acres in the areas of Refugio Canyon, Las Flores, Venadito, El Capitan Campground, El Capitan State Park, Ocean Mesa at El Capitan State Park and Refugio Campground. Evacuation centers have been set up in two locations, including one that will take horses and other large animals.
A 15-mile stretch of Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County was shut down for several hours into early Thursday morning.
Southern California wildfire grows to 1,700 acres, evacuations under way
