Sherpa Fire Apocalyptic Scene

T
This is the scene tonight in Las Flores Canyon at the refinery location up the canyon from El Capitán State Beach on the Gaviota Coast of Santa Barbara County. Both the refinery and the state beach are evacuated at this hour as are other nearby communities and facilities. The Sherpa Fire began this afternoon on the Chirpa Ranch in the Santa Ynez Mountains adjacent to the Los Padres National Forest where most of this fire has burned thus far.  Previously this blog reported the fire began on the Rancho La Scherpa Christian Conference Center which was in incorrect. Thus far the wind-driven fire has consumed a guestimated 500 acres, but the true size may already be ten times that number. Dreaded sundowner winds are predicted to kick in overnight after non-Sundowners already whipped up this fire earlier with wind gusts up to 40 m.p.h. Update: nearing midnight Sundowners have arrived and are now up to 50 m.p.h. Photo courtesy Mike Eliason, Santa Barbara Co. FD PIO (all rights reserved). *Note: last updated 6/17/16 at 1:15 p.m.