This story was last updated Tuesday. For Wednesday's update, click here.
Hundreds of fire personnel continue working to gain containment of the Canyon Fire burning near Lompoc. The fire at Vandenberg Air Force Base had burned approximately 12,000 acres by Tuesday evening and was 45 percent contained, according to base officials.
Vandenberg AFB officials say 1,056 firefighters, including U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE and Santa Barbara County fire crews, are making steady progress in their efforts to contain the fire as it moves toward the southern base boundary and the Sudden Ranch area.
Access on Vandenberg South Base is being limited to emergency personnel only. Road blocks are in place along parts of West Ocean Avenue and several facilities on South Base are reportedly running on generators until electrical lines downed by the fire can be repaired.
Vandenberg AFB firefighters and security forces are assessing possible causes. However, at this time, the cause of the fire is unknown, base officials said in a statement. Four minor injuries have been reported.
Evacuation warnings remain in effect for La Salle and Miguelito canyons, but fire officials say the east side of the fire, which is threatening those areas, looks good and the warnings may only be in place for another day or two. If you are in an evacuation warning zone, firefighters say it's time to get your important belongings together in case of an evacuation order.
Crews on the ground are being supported by helicopter and air tanker drops. Winds are expected to shift in the next few days, and firefighters say they are preparing for that, but are making good progress now on the fire, which broke out Saturday.
The launch of an Atlas V rocket has been postponed until at least September 26 because of the fire. Officials said the location of the rocket in relation to the fire is a concern, but preparation work is underway to make sure that area is safe if the flames make it that way.
Train activity has been stopped through the area and Union Pacific is said to be doing an assessment on the line. Some structures are also threatened, according to base officials, who added that the City of Lompoc is not currently threatened by the fire. They say nothing toxic is burning.
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Warning for Santa Barbara County on Tuesday because of the smoke from the fire. People are urged to limit time spent outdoors when high concentrations of smoke are present.
Photo courtesy Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara Co. Fire Dept.
