U.S. Forest Service (John Newman)

Lead image, flames on ridge

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The following information is taken directly off the Inciweb site, an incredible resource for this tragedy called the Zaca Fire. Laying out the facts in this manner reveal some of the stunning and frightening enormity of this fire. We salute the emergency workers and thanks the Public Information folks for keeping us up to date:

Summary

Morning Update Saturday August 4, 2007

Location: 15 miles northeast of Buellton, Santa Barbara County

Joint Unified Incident Management Teams: Los Padres National Forest and Santa Barbara County Fire Dept

Start Date & Report Time: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 am

Acres: 44,400 Acres Percent Containment: 60 percent Estimated Containment Date: September 7, 2007

Resources: Hand Crews: 51; Dozers: 15; Engines: 64; Water Tenders: 27; Helicopters: 7-Type 1, 6-Type 2 and 3-Type 3; Air Tankers: 8 on order; Air Attack: 2;

Total Personnel: 1,803; Injuries: 12;

Structures Threatened: 453;

Fireline-to-Build: 15 miles;

Estimated Cost-to-Date: $45.6 million

Mike Ferris - U.S. Forest Service

Firefighters programming radios on Zaca Fire, August 3.

Significant Events: An EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for Paradise Road and Lower Santa Ynez River Road to Gibraltar Dam. The Evacuation Order includes the Paradise Road Community, Santa Ynez Road Recreational Areas to Gibraltar Dam, Los Prietos Boys Camp and the Rancho Oso Guest Ranch. An EVACUATION ORDER continues for the Peachtree Community. An EVACUATION WARNING remains in place for Happy Canyon Road north of Baseline Avenue, including the ranches between Lake Cachuma and McKinley Ridge. The Los Padres National Forest expanded closure is in effect. The closure area is approximately 649,000 acres and is between Hwy 166 in northern Santa Barbara County and Highway 33 and Matilija Canyon in Ventura County. Detailed information on the closure can be found at http://www.inciweb.org/ or at your local Forest Service Office.

U.S. Forest Service (John Newman)

Large flames reveal on a ridge of the Zaca Fire, August 3.

Current Situation: The fire was very active into the night above the 3500 foot inversion and continued to burn to the south and east. It did not cross contingency lines at Old Man Mountain Road. Residents and visitors along Paradise Road were evacuated by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department. A section of Highway 154 is closed temporarily in order to safely conduct the evacuations. Heavy smoke and ash will be visible throughout the Central Coast. Direct hand line construction will continue into Mission Pine Basin and adjacent to Black Canyon south of Santa Cruz Peak. The fire line at the head of Peachtree Canyon continues to hold. Dozers continue to reinforce contingency lines in the existing fuel breaks near Paradise Rd. Structure protection groups are in place in the Peachtree and Paradise areas and continue working on improvements around structures.

Current Forest and Road Closures:

* Happy Canyon Road is closed at Los Padres National Forest boundary.

* Figueroa Mountain Road is closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary.

* East Camino Cielo is closed between Painted Cave Road and Gibraltar Road due to fire equipment traffic.

* Paradise Road is within the Evacuation Order Area and is currently closed.

* Hwy 154 is closed to general traffic between Foothill Road and Hwy 246. Travelers driving on San Marcos Pass (Hwy 154) should tune to 1040 AM.

* Los Padres National Forest closure information and map are available at Inciweb site.

U.S. Forest Service

Latest map of fire expanse, August 4

Safety Message: Travelers using SR-154, please be cautious of firefighting equipment and personnel. Gibraltar Road, Painted Cave Road and East Camino Cielo residents are also asked to be cautious of firefighting equipment and personnel.

Additional Information: In light of the current weather conditions and fire behavior, smoke from the Zaca Fire may be visible over a wide area as far away as Santa Barbara, Goleta or other areas of the county.

Help with Pets During Evacuations Ordered for the Zaca Fire

Residents who will be staying at the emergency shelter set up by the American Red Cross at Dos Pueblos High School can bring their household pets, such as dogs and cats and other small animals, with them to the shelter. Cages will be set up for these pets near the area the people will be sheltered. People coming to this shelter with their pets are asked to bring their pet's favorite food, food and water dishes, leashes, carriers, and any medications the pet will need. Be sure to have identification on your pet.

Residents who need assistance evacuating with large animals, such as horses and sheep, are being directed to a staging area at the corner of Highway 154 & Cathedral Oaks Road to be linked to private locations able to shelter large animals. A number of rigs with trailers will be available for assistance with loading animals that need to be relocated.

In the event that resources for sheltering on private ranches are exhausted, owners will be directed to take them to the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Grounds at 4040 Highway 101 in Santa Maria. Staff will be on site at the Elks Rodeo Grounds to coordinate the sheltering and care of all animals delivered for sheltering there.

Residents with questions about animal evacuations can call (805) 681-4332. This number was set up by the County Animal Services to assist residents affected by the evacuation orders and evacuation orders issued for the Zaca Fire.

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