J'Amy Brown

Smoke from the Zaca fire.

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Zaca Fire smoke covered the sunset and the mountains last night (Thursday), causing local emergency numbers to be flooded with calls from concerned Santa Barbara residents who feared the fire was moving toward Santa Barbara. Fire officials assured the public the smoke was from the Zaca Fire and neither Santa Barbara nor Goleta were not in danger.

Meanwhile, the Zaca fire continues, fifteen miles north of Buellton, covering over 13,000 acres. The forest service describes this as a "'fuels-driven' fire which is burning in steep, rocky, and broken terrain." Officials forecast "increased growth and extended duration of wildfire suppression activities." The full Inciweb report is available here, complete with photos and periodic updates.

Many of the photos and breaking news appeared first on Independent.com from Ray Ford's coverage.

Fire use clampdown in Los Padres:

The Zaca fire is causing a number of restrictions in National Forest use, and some of the details are available in Drew Mackie's coverage.

Friday morning the following announcement was released by fire officials:

In response to increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that they will impose additional fire restrictions starting Friday, July 13. The following restrictions will remain in effect until the end of the high fire season, usually in late autumn:

* Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest, including developed campgrounds and Campfire Use Sites.

* Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest except the Winchester Gun Club in Santa Barbara County and the Ojai Valley Gun Club in Ventura County. Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license is exempt from this restriction.

* Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.

* Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, are allowed only in designated Campfire Use Sites with a valid California Campfire Permit. Campfire permits are available free-of-charge at any Forest Service office. You must clear all flammable material for a distance of five feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

* Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or trails that are designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.) Make sure that your engine is operating properly and you have an approved spark arrester.

For a list of designated Campfire Use Sites or further information regarding current conditions and safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website

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