InciWeb UPDATE: Zaca Wildland Fire

Zaca Wildland Fire

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INCIDENT UPDATED 12:45 p.m.

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 - 07/15/07.

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Zaca Fire Update - July 15, 2007

(updated at 12:45 p.m.)

NOW ! - Firefighters are continuing a burning operation on the north west side of the fire. An increased amount of smoke may be visible from this operation.

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

Current Situation: The fire is continuing to burn in an easterly direction within the San Rafael Wilderness. The northeast portion of the fire is still holding at the Hurricane Deck Trail. Yesterday the fire made a run in the southern portion near Sulphur Springs Canyon. 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 will continue today dependent on favorable weather conditions. The goal today is to secure the containment line along the Sisquoc Drainage. Public and firefighter safety remains top priority. Bulldozers will continue to construct contingency lines in the Tepusquet area and on the east end of the fire.

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 those communities updated on the status 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 to an operationally approved location. Credentialed Media will need to check in at the Incident Command Post at Live Oak Camp (SR-154) for an escorted tour. Media is reminded to please wear appropriate clothing along with sturdy shoes for the environment.

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 like more information, please contact the Zaca Fire Information Unit 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	18,450 acres
Percent Contained	46%
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 continues its easterly movement into the San Rafael Wilderness. Firing along the north west portion of the fire, south of the Sisquoc River continues today, and is expected to be completed during this operational period. The south eastern side of the fire has has spread south towards the Manzana Creek and the Nira campground. The south side does continue to be successfully held along Zaca Ridge. West and north control objectives 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 that was being completed on the south east side of the fire, may have to be abandoned, due to the southerly spread mentioned above. This spread is still within containment objectives.
Projected Movement	The fire could grow significantly larger in the next 12 to 24 hours.
Growth Potential	High.
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme.
Containment Target	The fire continues to establish itself further into the San Rafael Wilderness. 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	4 mph NE
Current Temperature	56 degrees
Current Humidity	88 %