Note: Fire officials have stated that backfire operations will cause significant amounts of smoke which will possibly reach the Pine Mountain and Frazier Park areas.
The Zaca fire on August 21 became the second largest fire in California’s history, next to the larger October, 2003 Cedar fire which took 15 lives and burned 273,246 acres in San Diego County.
ZACA FIRE UPDATE
Thursday, August 23, 2007 8:00 AM
On the Web: or www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres or www.inciweb.org
Fire Information Phone Line: (805) 961-5770
Fire Status
Acres Burned: 229,433 acres
Acreage Increase (last 12 hours): 3,865 acres
Fireline to Build: 9 miles
Date Started: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 am
Percent Contained: 81 percent
Expected Containment: September 7, 2007
Injuries: 40
Structures Threatened: 66
Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding
Resources
Crews: 61
Engines: 117
Helicopters: 19
Air Tankers: 8
Air Attack: 3
Dozers: 29
Water Tenders: 79
Total Personnel Assigned: 2,798
Cost to Date: $ 94.2 million
Headlines:
• Paradise Road is open from Highway 154 to the First Crossing Day Use Area.
• Highway 33 from Ventucopa to Ozena remains closed, except to residents. Tentatively, fire officials hope to reopen Highway 33 to thru traffic by Friday, August 24.
Current Situation:
Last night firefighters made good progress conducting both burn out and mop-up operations in Brubaker Canyon on the Northeast side of the fire. Today firing operations will continue in order to complete fireline construction to the Cuyama River. Firing operations will also take place along the Highway 33 corridor along the west side of the Cuyama River from Ozena to Brubaker Road. Hotshot crews will continue to build direct handline from the Sierra Madre Ridge into the Sisquoc River Canyon on the North side of the fire.
There was minimal fire activity last night in the Live Oak Zone of the Zaca Fire. The Live Oak Zone has reached full containment and efforts are now focused on rehabilitation and restoration of those areas affected by the fire and suppression activities.
Road closures and evacuations associated with fire suppression activities have been lifted, however, all areas and roads included within the Los Padres National Forest Closure Area remain closed to public entry.
State Highways, Forest Roads and Area Closures:
• Hwy 33 between Wheeler Gorge and Ventucopa will be closed to all traffic until Friday, August 24, except for residents.
• Happy Canyon Road is closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary.
• Figueroa Mountain Road is closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary.
• East Camino Cielo Road is now open between Hwy 154 and Gibraltar Road. East Camino Cielo is still closed east of Gibraltar Road because it is within the Forest closure.
• Paradise Road is open from Highway 154 to First Crossing Day Use Area.
• The Zaca Fire Area Closure in Los Padres National Forest remains in effect. The closure includes lands in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern Counties. The expanded closure encompasses approximately 888,000 acres including the entire San Rafael, Matilija, and Chumash Wildernesses, a portion of the Sespe Wilderness, and adjacent national forest lands. Detailed information on the closure can be found at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres or www.inciweb.org or at a Los Padres National Forest office.
Evacuations:
• A PRECAUTIONARY EVACUATION is in effect for residents along the west side of Highway 33 from the Ventura/Santa Barbara County line to Pine Mountain Summit.
• The EVACUATION WARNING for Paradise Road, Los Prietos Boys Camp, and the Rancho Oso Guest Ranch has been lifted.
• The EVACUATION WARNING for East Camino Cielo Road from Gibraltar Road east to Ventura County Line including Gibraltar Reservoir and Jameson Lake has been lifted.
• Recreation facilities along Paradise Road between Highway 154 and First Crossing, including Forest Service campgrounds and Rancho Oso Campground, are now open. The Santa Ynez River Road, beyond the First Crossing and all associated recreation facilities are closed.
This is part of the August 17, 2007 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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