The U.S. Forest Service estimates that the recent Zaca Fire could cause the City of Santa Barbara to lose about 4,000 acre-feet of water from its Gibraltar Reservoir. This worst-case scenario is predicated upon heavy rains this winter, causing mudslides and erosion to fill the reservoir. City water czar Rebecca Bjork said that loss would be significant for the 7,500 acre-foot-volume reservoir and that she’s looking into precautionary measures.
