Sherpa Fire in Santa Barbara at 7,969 acres, 89 percent contained

SANTA BARBARA (KUSI) — Wednesday — The Sherpa Fire has burned 7,969 acres and is 89 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. 

11 a.m. — San Diego Cal Fire crews have been called to assist with a fire in Santa Barbara that has blazed through four thousand acres of Los Padres National Forest since it ignited Wednesday afternoon.  

Ground crews, helicopters and air tankers were battling the Sherpa Fire that broke out near the 101 freeway. The blaze was threatening 270 structures in Santa Barbara County and had destroyed one. An oil facility and hundreds of homes received mandatory evacuation calls.

As of Sunday evening, the fire was  54 percent contained and had grown to 7,893 acres, according to Cal Fire. The fire was considered moderate but had the potential to increase in activity, officials said. 

Personnel fighting the fire had been increased to more than 19 hundred by Monday morning. A second helicopter and five additional crews were dispatched to the area Thursday evening, including teams from San Diego and Orange County.  

San Diego Cal Fire sent a strike team consisting of about 20 firefighters and five fire engines to assist with containment around midnight Thursday. Orange County Fire has dispatched fire personnel to the area as well.

Highway 101, was temporarily closed Thursday from Buellton To Winchester Dr. but was reopened around 4 a.m. Friday.

The U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire and Santa Barbara County Fire Department managed fire containment. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.