Sherpa Fire | |
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Date(s) |
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Location | Santa Barbara County, California |
Coordinates | 34°31′48″N 120°03′14″W / 34.53°N 120.054°W |
Statistics[1] | |
Burned area | 7,474 acres (30 km2) |
Impacts | |
Non-fatal injuries | 9 |
Ignition | |
Cause | Under investigation |
Map | |
The Sherpa Fire was a wildfire that burned in the Santa Ynez Mountains along the Gaviota Coast in the southwestern part of Santa Barbara County, California in June 2016. In a matter of hours the fire spread to over 1,400 acres (570 ha) as the fire was propelled by downslope sundowner winds. This offshore northerly wind contrasts with the more typical onshore flow and sent the fire down the canyons towards the ocean with gusts of over 35 miles per hour (56 km/h). The wildfire resulted in evacuations at two state beach campgrounds and some residences together with intermittent interruption of traffic on a state transportation route.