A brush fire in the Los Padres National Forest, in the back country of the Santa Ynez Valley that prompted hundreds of evacuations Thursday is now 20% contained.
The Rey fire broke out at around 3 p.m. near the White Rock Picnic Area, off of Paradise Road. The huge cloud of smoke from the 600 acre blaze was visible from the Santa Barbara area, as well as Solvang and Santa Ynez.
A number of campers were evacuated from the area, and evacuation orders were issued for some of the scattered homes, and ranches. No structures have been reported damaged. Air tankers and helicopters were called in to help stop the spread of the fire, making major progress before nightfall.
Highway 154 was closed for about five hours between Santa Barbara, and the Santa Ynez Valley, but was reopened at about 9 p.m. Thursday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
