InciWeb: Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

InciWeb: Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest

Zaca Fire - InciWeb:

Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest

Zaca Fire Perimeter map
Credit: Zaca Fire GIS Unit

Zaca Fire Area Closure Map
Credit: Zaca Fire GIS Unit

Zaca Fire

Incident: Zaca Fire
Released: 10:42 hrs

CONTACT: Kathy Good (805) 961-5759

Zaca Fire Information Center (805) 961-5770

Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA, CA...Additional areas in Los Padres National Forest are now closed to the public due to the Zaca Fire emergency, the Forest Service announced today. Public entry is prohibited until further notice on all national forest lands between Highway 166 in northern Santa Barbara County and Highway 33 and Matilija Canyon in Ventura County.

The closure prohibits all public entry to national forest lands, trails, roads and recreation sites within the designated area. It does not apply to private land inside or adjacent to the national forest. Public entry is still permitted in Matilija Canyon and areas south in Ventura County. National forest land above Santa Barbara area communities is open to East Camino Cielo. The forest remains open west of Highway 154, and campgrounds and developed day use areas along Paradise Road in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area. Paradise Road is open to the first river crossing.

The closure now affects approximately 649,000 acres. It is a precautionary measure because of the difficulty of evacuating forest visitors from remote areas should the fire spread. In addition, firefighters and heavy equipment are building contingency lines several miles from the active fire and this closure will allow them to work more safely, quickly and efficiently.

A detailed description and map of the closure are available at Forest Service offices and on-line at http://www.inciweb.org.

Fire Restrictions Reminder

Fire restrictions are in effect throughout Los Padres National Forest. These restrictions prohibit the use of wood or charcoal fires in all areas; limit the use of gas-type stoves to designated Campfire Use Sites with a California Campfire Permit; prohibit recreational target shooting except at the Winchester Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club; and limit smoking to buildings, enclosed vehicles and Campfire Use Sites.

The Zaca Fire started on July 4, and has burned approximately 37,350 acres. It is currently 60 percent contained with full containment expected by September 7.

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Wednesday, August 1, 2007