For days, flames from the Gifford Fire forced the closure of Highway 166, isolating the small town of New Cuyama from the rest of Santa Barbara County and raising concerns over how residents would get essential supplies.
The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, which makes regular deliveries to the rural community, worried it wouldn’t be able to complete its run this week. The nonprofit relies on the two-lane highway to bring in groceries, fresh produce and emergency items, a lifeline for many in the valley.
Those concerns lifted when the highway reopened earlier this week, but the sense of urgency remained. Delays were still expected, and for many residents, the delivery was more critical than ever…