Inciweb update: Zaca Wildland Fire - 17,100 acres 45%

Zaca Wildland Fire

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INCIDENT UPDATED

ANNOUNCEMENT

Precautionary Smoke Advisory for Areas Impacted by the Zaca Fire
Precautionary Smoke Advisory for Areas Impacted by the Zaca FireSanta Barbara, CA - The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD)... more

Zaca Fire Perimeter Map 07/14/07
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Summary

Zaca Fire Update - July 14, 2007 (12:00 p.m.)

IMPORTANT ! - See "News" section regarding additional fire restrictions currently in effect throughout the entire Los Padres National Forest.

Current Situation: The fire is continuingto travel in an easterly direction within the San Rafael Wilderness. The northeast portion of the fire is still holding at the Hurricane Deck Trail. 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. The burning operation along the northwest portion of the fire continued today, completing 40-50% of the objective near the Sisquoc River drainage. Public and firefighter safety remains top priority.

Bulldozers will continue to construct line on San Rafael Ridge to Santa Cruz Peak as a primary holding line in case the fire continues to move east. Bulldozers also continue constructing secondary lines along the northwest side of the fire as a contingency to protect the community of Tepusquet if the fire jumps the Sisquoc River.

Safety Message: 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 thosecommunities updated regardingstatus of the fire.

Media Message: Due to the expanded forest closure, media must be escorted by a Public Information Officer (PIO). Information Officers will be available to provide an escort at 12:00 noon, to a location which has been approved by fireoperations. Credentialed Media only, should check in at the Incident Command Post at Live Oak Camp (State Route154) prior to 12:00 noon for an escortedtour.

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/

Resources currently assigned to the fire:

Crews - 59

Engines - 69

Dozers - 37

Water Tenders - 40

Helicopters - 10 (operational during daylight hours)

Helitankers - 7 (operational during daylight hours)

U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Santa Barbara County Fire, and CAL FIRE, continue to operate under a Unified Command.

"Fighting the Zaca Fire in the San Rafael Wilderness" (see "News" section).

"Archery Season Impacted by the Zaca Fire Closure" (see "News" section).

Fire Perimeter Map and Fire Area Closure Map (see "Maps" section).

Also see Rancho Fire on this web site for additional closure information.

Additional Fire Restrictions in Los Padres National Forest (see "News" section).

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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	Howard Windsor - Rick Tod

Current Situation

Total Personnel	2,020
Size	17,100 acres
Percent Contained	45%
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 is continueing its easterly movement further into the San Rafael Wilderness. Firing operations along the northwest portion of the fire, south of the Sisquoc River, continued today with 40-50% completion of the area to be burned. The south side of the fire, continues to be successfully held along Zaca Ridge. Control objectives on the north and west sides of the fire also continue to be achieved.
Significant Events	Emergency closures in the Los Padres National Forest,have been expanded and now encompass the entire San Rafael Wilderness and adjacent National Forest land, from approximately Highway 166 on the north to the Buckhorn Road area on the south. The 382,000-acre area will be closed until further notice. Bulldozers continue to construct contingency line outside of the wilderness. Firefighters continue to have success at holding the fire on the south side of the Sisquoc River, to the east of School House Canyon, and on the north side of Zaca Ridge.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Both direct and indirect line will continue being built to keep the fire within the objectives. Aircraft, both fixed and rotary wing, continue to support daily ground actions. The priority will be to secure the north west side of the fire,through the implementation of the firing plan to secure the line to the Sisquoc River. It is believed that this will be completed by the end of the operational period on Monday 7/16/2007. Direct line is successfully being completed in the Manzana drainage on the south east side of the fire.
Projected Movement	The fire could grow larger in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Growth Potential	High.
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme.
Containment Target	The fire continues to establish itself in the San Rafael Wilderness area. Several management strategies and other contingencies continue to be implemented.
Remarks	Estimated containment dates are difficult to determine, because of the fire becoming established in the San Rafael Wilderness. The current projection is that containment will require at least 14 days or more.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	15-24 mph SW
Current Temperature	78 degrees
Current Humidity	48 %