Santa Barbara, CA- Major Wildland/Interface Fire 08/17 Update

[RescueKujo 130]

10 a.m. 08/17/2007 update...

Fire Status

Acres Burned: 143,212 acres

Acreage Increase (last 12 hours): 8,816 acres

Fireline to Build: 7 miles

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

Percent Contained: 59 percent

Expected Containment: September 7, 2007

Injuries: 29

Structures Threatened: 595

Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding

Resources

Crews: 82

Engines: 226

Helicopters: 23

Air Tankers: 8

Air Attack: 3

Dozers: 57

Water Tenders: 101

Total Personnel Assigned: 2,852

Cost to Date: $76.3 million

[ex-commish 490]

10 a.m. 08/17/2007 update...

Fire Status

Acres Burned: 143,212 acres

Acreage Increase (last 12 hours): 8,816 acres

Fireline to Build: 7 miles

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

Percent Contained: 59 percent

Expected Containment: September 7, 2007

Injuries: 29

Structures Threatened: 595

Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding

Resources

Crews: 82

Engines: 226

Helicopters: 23

Air Tankers: 8

Air Attack: 3

Dozers: 57

Water Tenders: 101

Total Personnel Assigned: 2,852

Cost to Date: $76.3 million

I was just out there for vacatiion and you can see the smoke from the mountains and on some days there is a light haze in the air.

[RescueKujo 130]

As of this morning, the Zaca Fire is now the 5th largest in California history in acreage at 171,750 acres. The smoke column can be seen from southern LA County. Drift smoke has been seen as far north as Sacramento, south in Orange County, and as far east as Las Vegas. CAL-Fire/Santa Barbara County Fire have a plan in place for the protection of the city of Santa Barbara that calls for over 800 engines if activated.

Edited August 18, 2007 by RescueKujo

[RescueKujo 130]

As of 2000 Hrs 08/20/2007. The fire is now the 3rd largest by acreage in state history, the largest being the Cedar Fire here in San Diego in 2003 being the largest at 270,000 acres. Today it will surpass 200,000 acres.

Fire Status

Acres Burned: 199,588 acres

Acreage Increase (last 12 hours): 11,553 acres

Fireline to Build: 3 miles

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

Percent Contained: 75 percent

Expected Containment: September 7, 2007

Injuries: 30

Structures Threatened: 581

Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding

Resources

Crews: 71

Engines: 117

Helicopters: 22

Air Tankers: 8

Air Attack: 3

Dozers: 41

Water Tenders: 81

Total Personnel Assigned: 3,035

Cost to Date: $ 83.2 million

[RescueKujo 130]

Updated 8/20/07 8:30pm

At 2:28pm Monday the 20th of August a fire was reported near the Cemetary south of the City of Lompoc (approximate lat 34 37.758, long 120 26.709). This fire was initially reported at 80 acres and had grown to 250 acres as of 6:00pm. The fire is moving to the east-southeast. Resources from the Zaca Fire are being diverted to the area. The fire has crossed Hwy 1 near Santa Rosa Road as it is moving with the prevailing winds. As of 8:30 estimated containment is at 50%.

Fire Status

Acres Burned: 215,692 acres

Acreage Increase (last 12 hours): 967 acres

Fireline to Build: 3 miles

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

Percent Contained: 77 percent

Expected Containment: September 7, 2007

Injuries: 35

Structures Threatened: 581

Structured Destroyed: 1 outbuilding

And as of 0600 PDT this morning, The Zaca Fire is number 2 in the State of California for acreage (220,863 acres) burned. The Fire continues its march to the the number one spot that is currently being held by the 2003 Cedar Fire in San Diego County at 273,246 acres.

[RescueKujo 130]

As of 2000 on 08/24/2007, the fire is at 236.236 acres and is 83% contained. It has cost $101 million to supress the fire so far. Yesterday the wind picked up embers and pushed them over the containment lines, starting spot fires on the north side of the fire burning an additional 250 acres. While the acreage burned per day has slowed, it is still projected that full containment of this fire will not be until September 7th. We are seeing drift smoke in San Diego County from this fire.

Edited August 25, 2007 by RescueKujo

[RescueKujo 130]

Fire Status

Acres Burned: 240,207 acres

Fireline to Build: 2 miles

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

Percent Contained: 95 percent

Expected Containment: September 4, 2007

Injuries: 42

Structures Threatened: 32

Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding

Cost to date: $107 million dollars

The fire is significantly slowing. Containment estimate has been moved up. This will end up being the 2nd largest fire in California history.

[RescueKujo 130]

At the 2000 briefing it was announced that the Zaca Fire is now 100% contained after burning 240,207 acres for 60 days (started on July 4th by a rancher and employees welding broken pipes) and 117 million dollars. Firefighters are continuing mopup, patrolling the fire line, and checking the interior of the fire area for any hot spots.