CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : Inciweb Update: ZACA Fire - ZACA Incident - 28,000 acres

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Inciweb Update: ZACA Fire - ZACA Incident - 28,000 acres - 35%

Inciweb:Zaca Incident - Zaca Fire Evacuations Modified

ZACA Incident July 18 Information Map

Zaca Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 11:00 hrs.

ANNOUNCEMENT - Zaca Fire Evacuations Modified

Incident: Zaca
Released: 16 hrs. ago

**For Immediate Release**

Zaca Fire Evacuations Modified

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, in conjunction with the Joint Unified Incident Management Team, has modified the Zaca Fire evacuation order issued on July 16.

The area within the Los Padres National Forest boundary and the Peachtree community remain under a full "Evacuation Order."

All other areas that were within the previous Evacuation Order and Warning will remain under an "Evacuation Warning" and the public should be prepared to evacuate should fire conditions change.

The American Red Cross shelter at Santa Ynez High School will close at 8:00 p.m.

The Red Cross requests that if you live in the Evacuation Order area and have a need for emergency housing as a result of the Zaca Fire evacuation to call the Red Cross at 1-800-951-5600.

If you are unable to evacuate and need assistance call 911.

Firefighter using a drip torch to introduce fire to standing vegetation,
during a firing operation on 07/14/07.
Credit: Mike Ferris - USFS

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Acres: 28,000 Acres Percent Containment: 35 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

Significant Events

Current Situation:

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 have been placedthroughout the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valley to keep those communities updated on the fire's status.

Media Message: Due to the expanded forest closure, media must be escorted by a Public Information Officer.Information Officers will be available to provide an escort to an operations approved location. Credentialed media will need to check in at the Incident Command Post at Live Oak Camp (SR-154) for an escorted tour.

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 would likemore information, please contact the Zaca Fire Information Line at 805-961-5770 or go to http://www.fire.ca.gov/, http://www.inciweb.org/, or http://www.sbcfire.com/

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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	1,756
Size	28,000 acres
Percent Contained	35%
Fuels Involved	Chaparral and Oak Woodlands. North Flank of the fire is burning in heavy, 40 year old fuels with high dead to live ratio. Fuel moisture levels are extremely low, and are at levels which are usually not seen until late in the summer.
Fire Behavior	The fire remained active yesterday and throughout the evening, making runs to the south and east.
Significant Events	Plans are now being developed to develop and implement contingency activity in preparation for the fire crossing the Sisquoc River to the east.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue direct and indirect tactics with contingency actions to provide additional protection to communities.
Projected Movement	Conditions are similar to yesterday which resulted in a 3,000 acre increase in size in late afternoon.
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	A successful public meeting was held in Solvang with the Santa Barbara Unified Command. There were between 200-300 public attendees.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	11-18 mph NE
Current Temperature	56 degrees

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