A fire that broke out Aug. 9 in the wilderness of northeastern Santa Barbara County has scorched more than 25,000 acres. There are 1,277 firefighters, 39 engines, 10 helicopters and one air tanker fighting the La Brea Fire. At press time on Aug. 12, it was 10 percent contained.

The flames raged in the Los Padres National Forest in the San Rafael Wilderness area, about 25 miles east of Santa Maria and 16 miles west of New Cuyama, south of Highway 166. Highway 166 remained open, and smoke from the fire was visible throughout most of Santa Barbara County. An evacuation order was issued for several ranches in the area, but no homes were in immediate danger at press time, though residents of the Cuyama Valley were braced for possible evacuation warnings.

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