FirstAlerts

Red Flag Warning: Rapid Fire Growth Possible in Santa Barbara County Interior

National Weather Service warns of extreme fire behavior through Friday afternoon.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 25, 2026, 2:50 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 25, 2026, 1:16 p.m. ETWritten Aug 25, 2026, 2:53 p.m. ET
Developing · checked 1h ago

Hazard products are revised and cancelled as conditions change. Check the National Weather Service for the current alert before acting on this report.

We last searched for new coverage of this at Aug 25, 2026, 3:07 p.m. ET — checked 1h ago.

The has issued a for Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains and adjacent foothills, including Gaviota, Refugio, and San Marcos Pass, as well as the Cuyama Valley. The is in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2026, until 3 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2026, according to the Independent. The cites , which , the Independent reported. Residents are advised to have a wildfire evacuation plan with at least two exit routes, follow Ready, Set, Go! preparedness guidance at https://sbcfire.com/ready-set-go, and sign up for emergency alerts at https://www.ReadySBC.org. Additional precautions include avoiding spark-producing tools and machinery in grass or brush-covered areas, reporting smoke or fire immediately by calling 911, refraining from hiking or using front-country trails during Red Flag conditions, and reporting suspicious persons or vehicles to local law enforcement.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 25, 2026, 2:50 p.m. ETFirst report

    Red Flag Warning Issued for Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains and Cuyama Valley

    The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains and adjacent foothills, and the Cuyama Valley, according to the Santa Barbara Independent. The warning is in effect from 10:00 a.m. on August 25, 2026, until 3:00 p.m. on August 28, 2026.

    The warning cites extreme heat, instability, low humidity, and locally gusty winds, which can lead to rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior, including the potential for large plume-dominated fires. Affected areas include Gaviota, Refugio, and San Marcos Pass.

    Officials urge residents to have a wildfire evacuation plan with at least two exit routes, follow Ready, Set, Go! preparedness guidance, sign up for emergency alerts, avoid spark-producing tools, report smoke or fire by calling 911, refrain from hiking during Red Flag conditions, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

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Revision history

  1. Version 125 Aug 2026, 18:53current

    First published.

  2. Version 125 Aug 2026, 18:50current

    First published.

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