InciWeb: Forest Service Expands Zaca Fire Closure Into Ventura County

Thursday, July 19, 2007

InciWeb: Forest Service Expands Zaca Fire Closure Into Ventura County

Acres: 30,700 Percent Containment: 44 percent Estimated Control: No Estimate

Fire Boss: Volatile fuel conditions, concern for wind driven fire towards valley ranches and vineyards...

Zaca Fire Closure map
click to enlarge

Zaca Fire Closure map
InciWeb: Forest Service Expands Zaca Fire Closure Into Ventura County

Forest Service Expands Zaca Fire Closure Into Ventura County

Incident: Zaca
Released: 12 hrs. ago

GOLETA, CA...Due to the threat posed by the fast-moving Zaca Fire, the area of Los Padres National Forest closed to public entry has been expanded to the south. The closure now encompasses all national forest lands from Highway 166 on the north roughly to Highway 33 in Ventura County on the south, including the San Rafael, Dick Smith and Matilija Wilderness areas. The 614,223-acre emergency closure will be in effect until further notice.

"This is a dangerous fire that is capable of advancing several miles in a matter of hours," warned Forest Supervisor Ken Heffner. "We are fighting the fire aggressively, but it may continue to spread southeastward through the San Rafael Wilderness, and possibly beyond. I don't want anyone to be injured out there, either firefighters or forest visitors. I recognize this closure is an inconvenience, but these are extraordinary conditions, and safety has to remain our number one priority," Heffner added.

The emergency 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 inside or adjacent to the national forest. Some national forest facilities at the edge of the closure such as Wheeler Gorge and Holiday Campgrounds on Highway 33, and the campgrounds in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area, will remain open for the time being. A detailed description and map of the closure will be available at Forest Service offices and on-line at http://www.inciweb.org. The map and information also will be posted on Thursday at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres.

In addition to the Zaca Fire and Rancho Fire area closures, forest visitors are reminded that fire restrictions are in effect throughout Los Padres National Forest. The 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 as of this evening has burned approximately 28,346 acres. It is currently 35 percent contained. The fire is well-established in the San Rafael Wilderness and containment remains very difficult due to rugged inaccessible terrain and extreme burning conditions. The fire is being managed by a National Incident Management Team in Unified Command with Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Zaca Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 0800 hrs.

NEWS RELEASE

Forest Service Expands Zaca Fire Closure into Ventura County
GOLETA, CA...Due to the threat posed by the fast-moving Zaca Fire, the area of Los Padres National Forest closed to public entry has been expanded to the south. The closure now encompasses all national forest lands from Highway 166 on the north roughly to Highway 33 in Ventura County on the south, including the San Rafael, Dick Smith and Matilija Wilderness areas. The 614,223-acre emergency closure will be in effect until further notice

Summary

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Morning Update in Progress @0700

Acres: 30,700 Acres Percent Containment:44 percent Estimated Control: No Estimate

Resources: Hand Crews: 51; Dozers: 34; Engines: 66; Air Tankers: 6; Helicopters: 17; Water Tenders: 25; Overhead Personnel: 305; Total Personnel: 1,756; Injuries: 6; Structures Threatened: 50; Estimated Cost-to-Date: $21,100,000

Evacuations: At 8:00 pm last night the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's office, in conjunction with the Incident Management Team, updated the following order and warning which are still in effect:

Evacuation Order

The Evacuation Order issued by the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department remains in effect for the residents of Peachtree Canyon and areas within the Los Padres National Forest boundary. The Zaca Fire is at McKinley Ridge and continues to be a threat to life and property within the evacuation order area. Residents who live in or around the identified communities are advised to immediately evacuate. The Red Cross shelter at Santa Ynez High School was closed last night. The American Red Cross will provide emergency housing for those affected by the evacuation order by calling 1 (800) 951-5600. If residents are unable to evacuate and need assistance, call 911.

Evacuation Warning

An Evacuation Warning remains in effect for the following areas: Residents East of Figueroa Road, North of Roblar, East of Mora, North of Baseline Avenue, and West of the Los Padres National Forest boundary. The communities of Tunnel Ranch, Rancho De Los Vistadores, and the Sedgwick Ranch are now included in the warning area. The Zaca Fire is a potential threat to life and property. Residents living in these identified areas should prepare for evacuation. An Evacuation Order may be issued as a result of the fires threat.

Current Closures: Santa Barbara County Fire Officials have ordered the following road closures:

Happy Canyon Road closed to the east at Baseline Road.
Figueroa Mountain road closed to the east at Highway 154

Los Padres National Forest Officials have ordered the following forest closures:

The expanded forest closure is still in effect. The expanded closure encompasses the entire San Rafael Wilderness and adjacent National Forest land roughly from Highway 166 on the north to the Buckhorn Road area on the south. The 382,000 acre area will be closed until further notice. This closure will limit access to the San Rafael Wilderness in order to insure the safety of citizens and fire personnel.

Significant Events: The evacuation order issued on July 17, 2007 at 8:00pm was revised to include only the areas of Peachtree Canyon and the affected areas of the Los Padres National Forest.

Current Situation: The fire is still burning in an easterly direction in the San Rafael Wilderness. The widening fire front on the east and southeast portions of the fire will set a stage for another active burning day. No significant activity on the northern flank is expected as the Hurricane Deck continues to hold. A predicted wind shift to east/ northeast winds is predicted to occur tonight with an increasing threat to the southern portion of the fire and the adjacent communities. Work in the wilderness continues to be a challenge due to the steep and rugged terrain. All efforts are being made to protect natural and cultural resources. Bulldozers will continue to construct contingency lines outside the wilderness boundary. Public and firefighter safety remains the top priority.

Safety Message: Residents should use caution when evacuating. Travelers using SR-154, please be cautious of firefighting equipment and personnel. Fire Information fact sheets and display boards are placed throughout the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valley's to keep the communities updated on the fire status.

Media Message: Due to the expanded forest closure, media must be escorted by a PIO. Information Officers will be available to provide an escort to an operations approved location. Media will need to check in at the Incident Command Post at Live Oak Camp for an escorted media tour at 11:00 am.

Additional Information: The fire has potential for increased growth and extended duration of wildfire suppression activities. Depending on wind conditions, smoke from the Zaca Fire may be visible over a wide area with occasional drift smoke as far away as Santa Barbara, Goleta or other areas of the county. If you need more information please contact the Zaca Fire Information Line at 805-961-5770 or go to www.fire.ca.gov, www.inciweb.org, or www.sbcfire.com

Basic InformationSignificant Events

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Human Caused
Date of Origin	07/04/2007 at 1053 hrs.
Location	15 miles north east of Buellton, CA.
Incident Commander	Aaron Gelobter

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,673
Size	30,700 acres
Percent Contained	44%
Fuels Involved	Model 4 (6 ft) and oak woodlands. North and east flanks of fire are burning in heavy, 40 year old fuels with high dead to live ratio. Fuel moisture levels are extremely low, at levels normally seen in late summer.
Fire Behavior	The fire continued to spread slowly towards the south-southeast with occassional flare ups.
Significant Events	The fire is currently 1/4 mile west of San Rafael Peak. Occassional flare ups next to McKinley Peak due to 20-25 mph winds.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue aerial patrol of western perimeter. Prepare for holding and firing. Provide structure triage and preparation of Peachtree structures. Survey for structure protection needs in Happy Camp area. Continue dozer line construction. Rehab group to inventory fireline for rehab needs. Recon Sierra Madre Ridge for suppression strategy.
Projected Movement	High potential for growth to the east and south.
Growth Potential	High.
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme.
Containment Target	Suppression tactics continue to be successful in maintaining north and west flanks. Poor access, rugged terrain, and extremely low fuel moisture continue to be problems in achieving containment in the Wilderness.
Remarks	High potential for growth to the east and south.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	10-20 mph NE
Current Temperature	58 degrees
Current Humidity	63 %

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Thursday, July 19, 2007