The Whittier Fire continues to occupy about 76 firefighters working in temperatures approaching 100 degrees in the Santa Ynez range. They are putting out the last remnants of the fire with the help of an infrared-equipped water-dropping helicopter.
A couple of sundowner warnings this past week from the National Weather Service failed to stir the fire into life again, said Andrew Madsen with the U.S. Forest Service. In anticipation of a windy Sunday night, the southern flank was hammered with helicopter drops all weekend. When the wind blew, only ash flew from the fire, and there were no flare-ups.
Firefighters have created 105 miles of containment line completely around the fire, which is 87 percent contained, with its acreage holding at 18,430. They remain on suppression repair, line improvement, and mop-up. Full containment is projected by August 30.
West Camino Cielo stays closed between Winchester Gun Club and Refugio Road.