California’s air quality is being degraded by smoke from summer’s biggest wildfires.

A wildfire in Santa Barbara County has burnt more than 20,000 acres and is mostly uncontained, according to Cal Fire. It has prompted evacuation orders along the area, threatening Michael Jackson’s former Neverland Ranch.

The fire broke out near Lake Zaca last Friday, growing since then. Helicopters and air tankers were dispatched to help combat the flames, but it has continued to spread.

Officials predict that the fire will continue moving south and southeast as increased heat, wind and dry grass fuel the flames.

The cause of the fire is unknown, according to officials.

As of Monday afternoon, the fire was raging across 20,320 acres and 1,162 personnel were assigned to putting it out.


As the fire spreads in the direction of Figueroa Mountain Road, the 2,700-acre Neverland Ranch, which sits on the 5000 block of the street, is being threatened.

Jackson owned the property from 1988 until his death in 2009.

The fire is the second-largest in California so far this year. It’s one of several wildfires blazing in the state as a deadly heat wave pushes the temperature into the triple digits.

Story Date: July 10, 2024