CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : InciWeb: ZACA Fire - 31,000 Acres

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

InciWeb: ZACA Fire - 31,000 Acres - 65 percent Containment

Zaca Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED

Zaca Fire on the Los Padres NF

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Summary

Incident Name: Zaca Fire Location: 15 miles Northeast of Buellton, Santa Barbara County

Unified Command Team: Los Padres National Forest and Santa Barbara County Fire

Start Date & Report Time: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 AM

Acres: 31,000 Acres Percent Containment: 65 percent Estimated Containment: August 3, 2007

Resources: Hand Crews: 21; Dozers: 4; Engines: 12; Air Tankers: 2; Helicopters: 20; Water Tenders: 29; Overhead Personnel: 160; Total Personnel: 761; Injuries: 8; Structures Threatened: 0; Fireline-to-Build: 9 miles; Estimated Cost-to-Date: $33.5 million

Current Forest and Road 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 Los Padres National Forest closure remains in effect from Hwy. 166 on the north to Hwy. 33 in Ventura County on the south. This closure will limit access to the San Rafael and Dick Smith Wilderness in order to insure the safety of citizens and fire personnel.

Significant Events: With a warming and drying trend, expect interior islands to continue to burn out during the peak burning period, with no real threats to the line. The Marre fire continues to act as a partial barrier to fire spread even during times of active burning. Please visit www.inciweb.org for maps, photos and more information on the Zaca Fire.

Current Situation: The fire continues to threaten fire lines, but firefighters have been able to keep the fire from spreading beyond McKinley Ridge. Firefighters are using aerial infrared technology to locate hotspots. Today firefighters will continue to construct fire line on the two open southeast flanks and mop-up remaining hot spots. West and northern areas of the fire are being patrolled by aircraft. Despite rugged terrain, poor access, and extremely low fuel moistures, hand crews along with helicopters continue to make significant progress on the fire. Suppression rehab continues on the west side of the fire. All efforts are being made to protect natural and cultural resources. Public and firefighter safety remain the top priority.

Safety Message: Travelers using SR-154, please be cautious of firefighting equipment and personnel.

Additional Information: Depending on fire behavior and 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.

Approved By Unified Incident Commanders:

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 / Rick Tod

Current Situation

Total Personnel	761
Size	31,000 acres
Percent Contained	65%
Estimated Containment Date	08/03/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Chaparral 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 made several small, narrow runs to McKinley Ridge. Flame lengths observed to 20'. Small spot fire, approximately .25 acres observed outside of line in Div X in the evening shifted priority for resources for tomorows actions
Significant Events	Priority efforts continued on the west side of the fire. An analysis was completed of fire spread and ability to hold the line at the Division I/U break where the fire made runs today. The analysis determined that there was a high liklihood of success.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Not available
Projected Movement	Moderate to high potential for the fire to grow in the next 12 to 24 hours to the east and south.
Growth Potential	Medium
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme.
Containment Target	The north and west flanks are in patrol status with the exception of a quarter acre spot fire in Division X. Good progress is being made in Divisions I and U.
Remarks	All evacuation warnings have been lifted. Los Padres National Forest closure remains in effect. Happy Canyon Road is closed to the east at Baseline Road. Figuerora Mountain Road is closed to the east at Hwy 154. All Los Padres NF lands are closed from Hwy. 166 on the north roughly to Hwy. 33 in Ventura County on the south, including San Rafael, Dick Smith and Matilija Wilderness areas. Unified Command with Santa Barbara County.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	4-16 mph W
Current Temperature	82 degrees
Current Humidity	32 %

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