Wildfire — Santa Barbara County Mountains, California

2016-08-18 to 2016-08-31 · Santa Barbara County Mountains, California

Event narrative

The Rey Fire ignited in southern Santa Barbara county, in the Santa Ynez Mountains. . Due to hot and dry conditions, as well as historically dry vegetation, the fire grew very quickly. The fire burned into early September, before containment and scorched 33,606 acres.

Wider weather episode

Two significant wildfires impacted sections of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The Chimney Fire, which ignited near Lake Nacimiento in San Luis Obispo county, burned over 46,000 acres. The Rey Fire, which ignited in the Santa Ynez Mountains in Santa Barbara county, burned over 33,000 acres.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 652812. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.