June 23, 2025 - 5:30 p.m.

MONTECITO, CA – Just after 3 p.m. Monday, June 23, Montecito Fire Department responded to Montecito Union School at 385 San Ysidro Road for a spill of an unknown substance from a trailer.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that a 275-gallon container holding a non-toxic adhesive substance had been punctured by a forklift while being loaded for transport.

Subsequently, about 200 gallons of the substance spilled from the school site onto San Ysidro Road, extending nearly to the San Ysidro roundabout near Highway 101.

Hazardous Materials team members determined that the substance was not hazardous but would require an extensive cleanup operation. The spilled substance is red in color and similar to latex paint. It contains a chemical often used in cosmetics, paints or coatings to help with texture and ease of application. It was being used as a binding agent to repair the track at Montecito Union School.

The cleanup operation is expected to extend into the late evening hours Monday. CHP is assisting with traffic through the area. Drivers are asked to consider alternate routes and avoid San Ysidro Road.

Firefighters prevented the substance from entering local waterways by building berms with sandbags. California Department of Fish and Game is on scene to assess any potential impacts to wildlife and the environment. 

The California Office of Emergency Services has been notified of the incident. 

Montecito Fire thanks our partners from the following agencies for their assistance: Santa Barbara City Fire, California Highway Patrol, and Santa Barbara County Roads.