Woodchopper Fire Scorches 5 Acres Near Los Olivos In Wine Country

LOS OLIVOS, CA — A small brushfire broke out near Santa Barbara wine country near Highway 101, north of Los Olivos Thursday afternoon.

Dubbed the Woodchopper Fire, the blaze had reachED about 5 acres just after 12 p.m.

According to the Santa Maria Times, the fire is sending up a huge plume of smoke visible for miles. The newspaper reports that live wires are also down in the area of the blaze.

The 101 Freeway briefly shut down Thursday, but southbound side has since reopened. One northbound lane was open north of Highway 154. as of 1:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. may have to be shut down as crews work to tackle the blaze.

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File Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.