The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, in consultation with other public safety officials, has issued a Mandatory Evacuation Order effective today (Thursday, March 1) at noon for individuals near the Thomas, Sherpa and Whittier fire burn areas throughout Santa Barbara south coast (in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria) due to an approaching winter storm. Individuals must be out of the evacuation area by 6 p.m. today (Thursday, March 1).