CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS : Inciweb: Zaca Wildland Fire - 240,207 acres

Monday, August 27, 2007

Inciweb: Zaca Wildland Fire - 240,207 acres - 90%

Zaca Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 2 MIN. AGO

Helicopter assisting with firing operation.
Credit: Casey Christie - The Bakersfield Californian

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Summary

Monday, August 27, 2007 8:00 AM

Fire Status

Acres Burned: 240,207 acres

Fireline to Build: 2 miles

Date Started: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 am

Percent Contained: 90 percent

Expected Containment: September 7, 2007

Injuries: 42

Structures Threatened: 66

Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding

Cost to date: $105 million dollars

Resources

Crews: 43

Engines: 91

Helicopters: 19

Air Tankers: 8

Air Attack: 3

Dozers: 20

Water Tenders: 72

Personnel Assigned: 2,004

Headlines

Due to successful firefighting efforts on the northeastern edge of the Zaca Fire, Highway 33 is entirely open to the public. Please be mindful that there is the potential for fire engine traffic along this route for the next few days and travel with caution.
The RECOMMENDED EVACUATION in the area from Ozena north to the Ventura/Santa Barbara County line west of Highway 33 has been lifted.

Current Situation

Yesterday's higher humidity and aggressive fire suppression resulted in minimal change to the fire's perimeter. Fire crews completed fireline around a large spot fire that started Friday in Brubaker Canyon and will continue building fireline today on a spot fire that started Saturday near Cuyama Peak. Both of these spots are located at the northeast corner of the fire, west of Highway 33. Aerial infrared photography and ground patrols will be used to identify and cool hot spots, primarily along completed fireline in the Sisquoc River drainage and the northern perimeter of the fire.

Crews continue to make progress with rehabilitation efforts along fire lines and roads in the Live Oak Zone of the Zaca Fire. In addition to rehabilitation work the Live Oak Zone will be monitored by air.

Road closures and evacuations associated with the Live Oak fire suppression activities on the south have been lifted. All areas and roads included within the Los Padres National Forest Closure Area remain closed to public entry; including the Snyder Trail, a popular mountain bike trail.

Highways, Forest Roads and Area Closures

Highway 33 is entirely open to the public.
Happy Canyon Road is closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary.
Figueroa Mountain Road is closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary.
East Camino Cielo Road is now open between Hwy 154 and Gibraltar Road. East Camino Cielo is still closed east of Gibraltar Road because it is within the Forest closure.
Paradise Road is open from Highway 154 to First Crossing Day Use Area.
The Zaca Fire Area Closure in Los Padres National Forest remains in effect. The closure includes lands in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern Counties. The expanded closure encompasses approximately 888,000 acres including the entire San Rafael, Matilija, and Chumash Wildernesses, a portion of the Sespe Wilderness, and adjacent national forest lands. Detailed information on the closure can be found at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres or www.inciweb.org or at a Los Padres National Forest office.

Evacuations

The RECOMMENDED EVACUATION in the area from Ozena north to the Ventura/Santa Barbara County line west of Highway 33 has been lifted.
Recreation facilities along Paradise Road between Highway 154 and First Crossing, including Forest Service campgrounds and Rancho Oso Campground, are now open. The Santa Ynez River Road, beyond the First Crossing and all associated recreation facilities are closed.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Human Caused
Date of Origin	07/04/2007 at 1053 hrs.
Location	9 miles north of Santa Barbara
Incident Commander	Opliger/ Hawkins

Current Situation

Total Personnel	2,004
Size	240,207 acres
Percent Contained	90%
Estimated Containment Date	09/07/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Heavy brush containing a high dead component. Some conifer at higher elevations. Live fuel moistures are at 49% which is well below critical levels. A continuous fuel bed lies ahead of the fire.
Fire Behavior	Live Oak Zone: The fire in the island within the Santa Cruz drainage continues to creep around. Richardson Zone: There was minimum fire behavior overnight.
Significant Events	Live Oak Zone: Progress is being made with fire suppression rehabilitation. Richardson Zone: Complete line construction on small spot and patrol larger spot near Brubaker Canyon. Complete containment of spots along Sierra Madre Ridge. Continue structure protection patrols along Hwy 33 to Pine Mt. Summit.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Live Oak Zone: Patrol by air. Continue fire suppression rehabilitation. Richardson Zone: Monitor and mop up all slopovers. Patrol and mop up all spot fires. Patrol and mop up 1000 feet from structures. Continue rehabilitation efforts.
Projected Movement	Richardson Zone: West and North down Sisquoc River toward Sierra Madre Ridge. North to Dry Canyon, East to Hwy 33.
Growth Potential	Medium.
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme.
Containment Target	Live Oak Zone: Fire management strategy has succeeded. Richardson Zone: High potential for success of management strategy by Sept. 4th.
Remarks	Richardson Zone: All road closures have been lifted.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	59 degrees
Current Humidity	78 %

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