Alamo Fire Near Santa Maria Explodes To 6,000 Acres

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NEAR SANTA MARIA (CBSLA.com/AP) – A wildfire that forced evacuations in Santa Barbara County doubled in size overnight to 6,000 acres amid high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds.

Santa Barbara County fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni said Saturday that the Alamo Fire had burned more than 9 square miles outside Santa Maria and remained 10 percent contained. The fire is burning in San Luis Obispo County, off Highway 166 near Twitchell Reservoir, according to CAL Fire.

The fire was one of several threatening homes around the state during a heat wave that has made it hard on firefighters.

More than 1,000 firefighters were deployed to the fire that sent plumes over northern Santa Barbara County and southern San Luis Obispo County and led to evacuation orders for about 300 residents in the Tepusquet Blazzing Saddles area.

Zaniboni says five helicopters and four planes are attacking the flames and working to protect homes.