Alisal Fire in California shuts down Highway 101, prompts evacuations in Santa Barbara County

Photo Caption: Firefighter, Tyler McManigal, fights the Alisal Fire in Refugio Canyon, Oct. 12, 2021, Gaviota, Calif. (Erick Madrid/ZUMA Press)

Climate Signals summary: Decades of drought in California due to climate change has contributed to a very active wildfire season. The Alisal Fire in Southern California rapidly grew Tuesday to over 13,000 acres.

Article excerpt: The Alisal Fire in Southern California had exploded to about 13,400 acres Tuesday evening after sparking near the Alisal Reservoir on Monday around 2:30 p.m. It remains just 5% contained and 50 mph gusts were expected in the region overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Pacific Gas & Electric de-energized power lines to about 24,000 customers in anticipation of a wind event, The Associated Press reported.

The region remains a tinderbox following decades of drought, exacerbated by climate change.

You can find the full story by Julia Jacobo here: https://abcnews.go.com/US/alisal-fire-california-shuts-highway-101-prompts-evacuations/story?id=80536695