Cave Fire: Wind-driven blaze burning above Santa Barbara prompts evacuations - KABC-TV

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KABC) -- A wind-driven brush fire erupted in the mountains above Santa Barbara, prompting mandatory evacuations Monday afternoon.

The blaze started around 4 p.m. off Highway 154, along East Camino Cielo near Painted Cave in the Los Padres National Forest. So far, the blaze, dubbed the Cave Fire, has burned 3,300 acres, Cal Fire said. Containment is at 0%.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued, with boundaries expanded from Ontare Road to Fairview Avenue north of Cathedral Oaks, according to Santa Barbara city officials.

Officials also noted southern parts of the county have experienced power outages due to the Cave Fire, which are not related to a public safety power shutoff.

Outages were reported in the unincorporated areas between the cities of Goleta and Santa Barbara, along Highway 154 through Mission Canyon and parts of Summerland and Carpinteria.

Video from the fire captured a family trying to escape the fast-moving fire on Highway 154, with flames surrounding their vehicle as they drove by. The person who posted the video said they followed a fire crew to safety.

Multiple fire engines, along with hand crews and a water-dropping helicopter were at the scene.

Strike teams from neighboring counties have been called in to help. Los Angeles County Fire also sent a "Firehawk" firefighting plane to assist with the effort.

There were no immediate details on whether any homes have been damaged from the blaze.

Highway 154 is closed between Highway 192 and Highway 246, according to sister station KEYT.

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