Mandatory evacuations were ordered in Santa Barbara County Monday where a 200-acre vegetation fire burned dangerously close to a centuries-old mission and nearby homes.
Twelve-hundred residents in the Cebada Canyon, Gypsy Canyon, Tularosa Road and Mission Hills areas were ordered to leave their homes immediately by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office at 3:30 p.m., a little more than hours after the blaze ignited east of Mission Hills in Lompoc.
The La Purisima Mission founded in 1787 and rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1812, was also evacuated with the fire burning dangerously close to the historical site.
Animal Control officials requested anyone who needed assistance with evacuating animals to call 805-681-4332.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
