BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Eleven firefighters from Kern County Fire Department are assisting the Cave Fire burning in the mountains near Santa Barbara, the department tweeted on Tuesday.

According to 10News’ Scripps sister station KSBY, the wildfire erupted around 4:15 p.m. Monday along Highway 154 and East Camino Cielo, in the Los Padres National Forest.

Just before 8 p.m., the fire exploded in size to about 2,500 acres burned, prompting the evacuation of thousands of area residents.

KCFD said in a tweet that crews are helping contain the fire.