 Zaca, 15 miles Northeast of Buellton, in Santa Barbara County.
Human caused, started on private property from sparks of a grinding machine on July 4, 2007 @ 10:53 AM.
Current Situation:
- The Zaca Fire is now fully contained. A fire is considered contained when a line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread. A fire is considered “controlled” when the containment lines can reasonably be expected to hold under the foreseeable conditions. The Zaca Fire is not expected to be controlled for at least several more weeks.
- Firefighters will maintain a 500-foot wide perimeter in which all residual fire will be extinguished. Interior islands of unburned fuel will continue to put up visible columns of smoke until the area receives rain or prolonged higher humidity. Aircraft using infrared photography will assist in monitoring the fire. .
- Rehabilitation of fire control lines is expected to be completed by September 7. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues assessing the fire’s impacts to the national forest and will recommend measures to prevent additional damages to roads, trails and drainages.
Highways, Forest Roads and Area Closures:
- Due to continuing hazards in the fire area, the Zaca Fire Area Closure in Los Padres National Forest remains in effect. The closure extends roughly from Highway 166 to Highway 33. A map and detailed information are available at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres or www.inciweb.org, or at Forest Service offices. The Forest Service will reduce the closure when public safety can be assured.
- 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 open between Hwy 154 and Gibraltar Road.
- East Camino Cielo is closed east of Gibraltar Road because it is within the Forest closure.
- Paradise Road is open from Highway 154 to the First Crossing Day Use Area. Recreation facilities along Paradise Road between Highway 154 and First Crossing, including Forest Service campgrounds and Rancho Oso Campground, are now open. The First Crossing Day Use Area is closed. The Santa Ynez River Road, beyond the First Crossing and all associated recreation facilities are closed.
This will be the last update from the Zaca Fire unless
conditions change and fire activity increases
 Los Padres National Forest Officials have ordered the following forest closures:
Forest Service Reduces Zaca Fire Closure
Some areas within Los Padres National Forest east of Highway 33 that were previously closed to public entry because of the Zaca Fire will be reopened on August 30, the Forest Service announced today.
The revised emergency closure will encompass all national forest lands between Highway 166 and Highway 33. On the east side of Highway 33, the Pine Mountain Road (aka Reyes Peak Road and Forest Road 6N06), and all recreation facilities along the road will remain closed, as will the Boulder Canyon Trail (Forest Trail 23W03) between Pine Mountain Road and the Forest Service Station at Ozena. The closure affects approximately 663,435 acres of the 1.76 million-acre national forest.
The temporary closure is needed for public and firefighter safety. While the Zaca Fire is nearing full containment, it will be at least several weeks before the fire is completely controlled. In addition, firefighters and heavy equipment will continue to work in the general fire area putting out remaining hotspots and rehabilitating firelines.
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 within or adjacent to the national forest. The closure will be in effect until further notice. A detailed description and map are available at Forest Service offices and on-line at http://www.inciweb.org/ and http://www.fs.fed.us.r5/lospadres .
Forest visitors are reminded that fire restrictions remain 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 240,207 acres. It is currently 95 percent contained with full containment expected by September 4.
Fighting the Zaca Fire in the San Rafael Wilderness
 The San Rafael Wilderness has a history of large fires. The terrain is extremely rugged and there are very few suitable ridgetops or other landscape features where firefighters can safely construct lines that can hold the fire. Firefighters are taking advantage of every safe and effective opportunity to keep the Zaca Fire from spreading further into the wilderness.
Wilderness areas are set aside by Congress to protect their primitive character. Mechanized and motorized equipment is generally prohibited in these areas. During a fire emergency the Forest Supervisor can approve the use of certain equipment such as chainsaws and portable water pumps, and the construction of temporary helicopter landing spots. The Forest Supervisor has authorized these tools for use in fighting the Zaca Fire in the San Rafael Wilderness.
Use of bulldozers or tractors in wilderness areas requires approval from the Regional Forester who must consider whether the benefit of using the equipment outweighs the negative effects on the wilderness landscape. Because of the rugged broken terrain there are very limited opportunities to use dozers in the San Rafael Wilderness. Bulldozers are not currently being used in the San Rafael Wilderness, but have been very effective in building line in the more suitable terrain outside the wilderness.
Water and retardant-dropping aircraft have been used extensively on the Zaca Fire to slow its spread. They have been an essential tool in this firefighting effort. Airtankers and helicopters alone do not stop wildfires. They help to cool and slow down the spread of the fire so that firefighters can get closer to the fire and construct control lines. The Forest Supervisor has granted permission to use fire retardant on the Zaca Fire within the wilderness. Firefighters follow guidelines to minimize any effects on the wilderness values; for example, they avoid dropping retardant in streams. |
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