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 ROAD RE-OPENING:
Date: August 29, 2007 / 3:07 p.m. Los Padres National Forest, 6755 Hollister Ave. #150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Goleta, CA 93117
CONTACT: Kathy Good (805) 961-5759 www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres
Zaca Fire Information Center (805) 961-5770
Forest Service Reduces Zaca Fire Closure
GOLETA, CA…Some areas within Los Padres National Forest east of Highway 33 that were previously closed to public entry because of the Zaca Fire will be reopened on August 30, the Forest Service announced today.
The revised emergency closure will encompass all national forest lands between Highway 166 and Highway 33. On the east side of Highway 33, the Pine Mountain Road (aka Reyes Peak Road and Forest Road 6N06), and all recreation facilities along the road will remain closed, as will the Boulder Canyon Trail (Forest Trail 23W03) between Pine Mountain Road and the Forest Service Station at Ozena. The closure affects approximately 663,435 acres of the 1.76 million-acre national forest.
The temporary closure is needed for public and firefighter safety. While the Zaca Fire is nearing full containment, it will be at least several weeks before the fire is completely controlled. In addition, firefighters and heavy equipment will continue to work in the general fire area putting out remaining hotspots and rehabilitating firelines.
The closure prohibits all public entry to national forest lands, trails, roads and recreation sites within the designated area. It does not apply to private land within or adjacent to the national forest. The closure will be in effect until further notice. A detailed description and map are available at Forest Service offices and on-line at http://www.inciweb.org and http://www.fs.fed.us.r5/lospadres .
Forest visitors are reminded that fire restrictions remain in effect throughout Los Padres National Forest. These restrictions prohibit the use of wood or charcoal fires in all areas; limit the use of gas-type stoves to designated Campfire Use Sites with a California Campfire Permit; prohibit recreational target shooting except at the Winchester Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club; and limit smoking to buildings, enclosed vehicles and Campfire Use Sites.
The Zaca Fire started on July 4, and has burned approximately 240,207 acres. It is currently 95 percent contained with full containment expected by September 4.
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ZACA FIRE UPDATE
Wednesday, August 29, 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: 240,207 acres
Acreage Change (last 12 hours): no change
Fireline to Build: 2 miles
Date Started: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 am
Percent Contained: 95 percent
Expected Containment: September 4, 2007
Injuries: 43
Structures Threatened: 32
Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding
Resources
Crews: 52
Engines: 86
Helicopters: 22
Air Tankers: 0
Air Attack: 3
Dozers: 20
Water Tenders: 69
Total Personnel Assigned: 2,208
Cost to Date: $109 million
Headlines:
• Due to successful firefighting efforts on the northeastern edge of the Zaca Fire, Highway 33 is open to the public. Please be mindful there is the potential for fire equipment traffic along this route for the next few days. Travel with caution.
• Some areas within Los Padres National Forest east of Highway 33 previously closed to public entry, will be reopened on August 30. The revised emergency closure will encompass all national forest lands between Highway 166 and Highway 33. On the east side of Highway 33, the Pine Mountain Road (AKA Reyes Peak Road and Forest Road 6N06), and all recreation facilities along the road will remain closed, as will the Boulder Canyon Trail (Forest Trail 23W03) between Pine Mountain Road and the Forest Service Station at Ozena.
Current Situation:
Yesterday crews continued improving containment lines on the fire in the Cuyama Peak and Brubaker Canyon areas. Last night crews used night-vision goggles to locate hot spots. Today, firefighters will search out and suppress hot spots along the fire’s edge that may threaten the containment lines all along the north and east portions of the Zaca fire. Aerial infrared photography and ground patrols will be used to identify and cool hot spots, primarily along completed fireline in the Sisquoc River drainage and the northern perimeter of the fire.
Suppression rehabilitation efforts continue to make substantial progress along fire lines and roads in the Live Oak Zone of the Zaca Fire. Crews will continue rehabilitation on the Fremont fuel break near East Camino Cielo Road, which will be visible from Highway 154.
Temperatures today are forecasted to be in the 100’s with winds from the west-southwest during the morning hours then turning northeast in the evening. Relative humidity levels are expected to be in the low teens.
Road closures and evacuations associated with the Live Oak fire suppression activities on the south have been lifted. All areas and roads included within the Los Padres National Forest Closure Area remain closed to public entry, including the Snyder Trail, a popular mountain bike trail.
Highways, Forest Roads and Area Closures:
• 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 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.
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 24, 2007 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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