CA-LPF Sherpa CA-LPF-001643, Vegetation fire, Santa Barbara County [MAP]

Thursday, June 16, 2016

CA-LPF Sherpa CA-LPF-001643, Vegetation fire, Santa Barbara County [MAP]

Sherpa Fire, CA-LPF-001643, Vegetation fire, Santa Barbara County

The fire is being managed under Unified Command by the US Forest Service, Cal Fire, and Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The fire has exhibited extremely fast downhill runs during evening and overnight hours due to downslope Sundowner winds. It is anticipated that this type of fire behavior will continue each night as long as Sundowner weather conditions continue.

Location: 11 miles north of Goleta, Camino Cielo Ridge, Los Padres National Forest
Start Time: 15:30 hrs

Sherpa Fire 6-17-16
Credit: +SLOStringer

Updates:
06/22/2016 0930: 7,969 acres and has 89% containment. There are 1,678 personnel assigned to the incident.

06/21/2016 0930: 7,969 acres, 70% Contained (FRA=3420 acres, SRA=4549 acres)

Extreme topography may limit direct line construction
Most mandatory evacuations will be reduced to warnings on 06/22/16 @ 0500.
Some areas will have continued restrictions.

06/20/2016 1930: 7,893 acres, 62% Contained. Extreme topography may limit direct line construction.
Overall fire behavior was moderate with little growth, yet the fire still has the potential to increase in activity and grow quickly. Aviation resources are being used to slow the fire growth in this area providing hand crews and dozers with the time needed to complete direct containment and secondary contingency lines .Fixed wing air tankers remain available if fire activity does increase.
Although a Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Tuesday, weather is beginning to moderate with cooler temperatures expected.
Highway 101 is currently open; residents and motorists may check current conditions on Highway 101 by clicking on the Department of Transportation

Most mandatory evacuations within the Sherpa Fire will be reduced to evacuation warnings on June 22 at 5 a.m. Some areas will have continued restrictions. Please see the following link for the Repopulation Plan: INCIWEB - http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4786

***A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 TUESDAY***

The probability of ignition is 100% at elevations greater than 800 ft. above sea level (inversion layer) and 80-90% on lower elevations & beaches.

Due to extremely high temperatures and heat related emergency evacuations, a Safety Stand Down was implemented for one hour. All ground personnel were instructed to rest and hydrate.

The fire is being managed under Unified Command by the US Forest Service, CAL FIRE and Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Ownership = FRA 3344 acres, SRA 4549 acres

The San Dimas Technology Development Center in conjunction with California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is performing a Fire Retardant Effectiveness Study.

Sherpa, Vegetation fire, Santa Barbara County

06/20/2016 1330: 7,893 acres; 54% contained.

06/19/2016 1900: 7893 acres, 51% Contained.

Fire ownership by acres: State Responsibility Lands=4549; Forest Responsibility Area=3344.

Type 2 Team (Mills) closed out 1200 hrs. today.
Sundowner winds were observed over portions of the fire with gusts up to 55 mph. Sundowner conditions are expected to persist through Monday.
Crews were successful in protecting residential property in the El Capitan Canyon area, El Capitan State Park and along the Highway 101 corridor.

Evacuations:
Mandatory Evacuation orders: remain in effect for Refugio Canyon, Venadito Canyon, Las Flores Canyon, El Capitan Canyon, El Capitan State Beach, El Capitan Ranch, and Canada de la Destiladera; and the area east of the Refugio burn area up to Calle Lippizana, near the equestrian center. ·

Evacuation Warning: is in place for the areas east of El Capitan Canyon to Farren Road; Las Llagas Canyon, Gato Canyon, Las Varas Canyon, Dos Pueblos Canyon, and Eagle Canyon · Fire department overnight priorities: 60 homes in Refugio Canyon, 80 homes in El Cap Ranch, Circle Bar B & “the Narrows”

The Santa Barbara Red Cross has activated an evacuation shelter for those effected by the Sherpa Fire. which is located at the Wake Center within the Santa Barbara City College, 300 N. Turnpike Road in the city of Santa Barbara.

Individuals with pets and livestock may contact Animal Service at 805-681-4332 Fire behavior: Moderate ROS, Flanking fire with Isolated Torching
Overall fire behavior was moderate yet the fire still has the potential to increase in activity. Observed fire behavior included short runs along the north and east open line with isolated consumption of unburned fuels within the perimeter. Crews continue to make good progress in securing the west flank. Fire continues to flank, moving up Corral Canyon and on the Santa Ynez Peak to the east.
Sundowner winds picked up at approximately 1600 with the wind shifting to down canyon. Once weather conditions become more favorable probability of containment of the east flank will increase. The fire has exhibited extremely fast downhill runs during evening and overnight hours due to downslope Sundowner winds. It is anticipated that this type of fire behavior will continue each night as long as Sundowner weather condition continue. Sundowner conditions are expected to persist through Monday.
Resources assigned: 1,926 people, 129 engines, 13 water tenders, 61 hand crews, 14 dozers, 18 helicopters, and 5 air tankers including the DC-10.
The San Dimas Technology Development Center in conjunction with the California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 is performing a Fire Retardant Effectiveness Study.

06/18/2016 1930: 7811 acres, 45% Contained

Extreme down slope runs is expected tonight due to Sundowner winds.
The fire continues to move up Corral Canyon and Santa Ynez Peak to the east.
The threat to the Oil refinery has been abated.
Type 2 Team (Mills) close out 1200 hrs., 06192016

06/18/2016 1130: LAFD sending one(1) Strike Team (5 engines w/chief) to "Sherpa" fire in Santa Barbara County; E8139 E8140 E8138 E8137 E8136 BC738 BC741 410 evacuation contacts are made through the Sheriff's office reverse 911 program.

AT-910 dropping a load of mud on the Sherpa Fire 6/17
Credit: 10 Tanker Air Carrier Facebook

06/18/2016 0900: 7063 acres, with 24% containment. Crews continue to make good progress along the west flank with black line. Fire continues to move up Corral Canyon and on the San Ynez Peak to the east. The fire continues to flank toward the east and south east.

The significant Sundowner winds did not surface as expected last night. Crews took advantage of the weather and continued with direct line construction.

Today firefighters will continue to work on building and reinforcing containment lines along the North and East sides of the fire, and along Highway 101. Crews will continue with contingency lines on the East side of the fire.

Fire activity along Highway 101 is under continuous evaluation by fire managers and the California Highway Patrol. The Hwy may be closed again if the fire is determined to be a hazard to motorist.

The communities surrounding the Sherpa Fire can expect to see smoke throughout the day, which will increase during the evening hours. Outdoor activities should be planned for times when smoke levels are low.

Evacuations:· Mandatory Evacuation orders: remain in effect for Refugio Canyon, Venadito Canyon, Las Flores Canyon, El Capitan Canyon, El Capitan State Beach, El Capitan Ranch, and Canada de la Destiladera; and the area east of the Refugio burn area up to Calle Lippizana, near the equestrian center.

· Evacuation Warning: is in place for the areas east of El Capitan Canyon to Farren Road; Las Llagas Canyon, Gato Canyon, Las Varas Canyon, Dos Pueblos Canyon, and Eagle Canyon

· Fire department overnight priorities: 60 homes in Refugio Canyon, 80 homes in El Cap Ranch, Circle Bar B & “the Narrows”

Sherpa Fire Perimeter Map

06/17/2016 1900: 5866 acres, 20% Contained

A Transition to Type 1 Team (Opliger) at 1800, 6/18/2016
A threat to Broadcast Peak Communication towers,
El Capitan California State Park and residential property in
El Capitan Canyon.
Fire continues to move up Corral Canyon and on the San Ynez Peak to the east
Fire exhibited extremely fast downhill run during evening and overnight hours do
to downslope Sundowner winds. This behavior will continue each night as the
Sundowner weather continues.
Crews were successfully able to protect residential property in the El Capitan canyon
area and El Capitan State Beach
Federal air and ground resources and CAL FIRE air resources assigned

06/17/2016 0830: 4000 acres, 5% Contained

Threat to large oil refinery, Broadcast Peak Communication towers,
El Capitan California State Park and residential property in El Capitan Canyon, Section of Hwy 101 (from Buellton to Winchester Dr.) was reopened at 0400 this morning.
Southern Pacific railway was reopened to traffic at 2300 last night.
Federal air and ground resources and CAL FIRE air resources assigned

06/16/2016 0800: 1250 acres, 0% Contained
Type 3 IC in command.

Threat to an Oil refinery, Hwy 101, Broadcast Peak major Communication towers,
and California State Parks.
Type 2 IMT (Mills, with Laeng-Training) has been ordered.
2 VLATs assigned
Evacuations remain in place.
Commitment of Federal air and ground resources.

06/15/2016 1730: 60 acres, 0% Contained
Moderate rate of spread
76°, 50 % RH, 5 mph, W
Federal air and ground resources and CAL FIRE air resources assigned
1 VLATs assigned
Structures threatened
Santa Barbara County has Mandatory and Voluntary Evacuations in place.

06/15/2016 1700: 60 acres, 0% Contained.

· Moderate rate of spread

· 76°, 50 % RH, 5 mph, W

· Federal air and ground resources and CAL FIRE air resources assigned

· 2 VLATs assigned

· Structures threatened

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Thursday, June 16, 2016