Zaca Fire 100% Contained — On August 21 the Zaca fire, which started July 4, 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. On September 2, Santa Barbara County’s Zaca fire was declared contained after burning more than 240,000 acres.

Zaca Fire Final Update
Tuesday September 4, 2007  10:00 AM

The Zaca Fire Information Center is now closed.  
For further information visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres or www.inciweb.org
or call Los Padres National Forest: Joe Pasinato at (805) 961-5745 or Kathy Good at (805) 961-5759.
For fire emergencies call 911.

Fire Status
Acres Burned: 240,207 acres
Date Started:  July 4, 2007 at 10:53 am
Percent Contained: 100 percent
Date Contained:  September 2 at 6:00 pm
Injuries:  38
Structures Destroyed:  1 outbuilding
Cost to Date:  $118 million    

Resources
Crews:  21
Engines:  26
Helicopters: 3
Air Tankers:  0      Air Attack: 3
Dozers: 9
Water Tenders:  30
Total Personnel Assigned:  988

Current Situation:
•    The Zaca Fire is now fully contained.  A fire is considered contained when a line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread.  A fire is considered “controlled” when the containment lines can reasonably be expected to hold under the foreseeable conditions.  The Zaca Fire is not expected to be controlled for at least several more weeks.
•    Firefighters will maintain a 500-foot wide perimeter in which all residual fire will be extinguished. Interior islands of unburned fuel will continue to put up visible columns of smoke until the area receives rain or prolonged higher humidity.  Aircraft using infrared photography will assist in monitoring the fire.  . 
•    Rehabilitation of fire control lines is expected to be completed by September 7.  A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues assessing the fire’s impacts to the national forest and will recommend measures to prevent additional damages to roads, trails and drainages.

Highways, Forest Roads and Area Closures:
•    Due to continuing hazards in the fire area, the Zaca Fire Area Closure in Los Padres National Forest remains in effect.   The closure extends roughly from Highway 166 to Highway 33.  A map and detailed information are available at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres or www.inciweb.org, or at Forest Service offices.  The Forest Service will reduce the closure when public safety can be assured.
•    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 open between Hwy 154 and Gibraltar Road. 
•    East Camino Cielo is closed east of Gibraltar Road because it is within the Forest closure.
•    Paradise Road is open from Highway 154 to the First Crossing Day Use Area.  Recreation facilities along Paradise Road between Highway 154 and First Crossing, including Forest Service campgrounds and Rancho Oso Campground, are now open.  The First Crossing Day Use Area is closed.  The Santa Ynez River Road, beyond the First Crossing and all associated recreation facilities are closed.

This will be the last update from the Zaca Fire unless
conditions change and fire activity increases.

This is part of the August 31, 2007 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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