Zaca Fire reaches 81 percent containment

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Firefighters continued to gain the upper hand on the Zaca Fire yesterday, bringing flames to 81 percent containment as the blaze grew to 225,568 acres.
Fire officials started releasing some fire crews after completely securing the southern flank of the fire and reducing that area to patrol and mop-up status. Firefighters are still working on areas to the east and northwest.

“They are making very good progress,” Zaca Fire Spokesman Steve Johnson said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”
Johnson said active flames are still burning in the Dick Smith Wilderness near the boundary between the San Rafael Wilderness, and fire officials are continuing to be vigilant despite favorable weather conditions.
“The weather has been very good to us,” Johnson said. “We’ve been having fairly moderate humidity ... but we aren’t out of the problem yet.”
Firefighters started burning out interior islands of unburned vegetation yesterday, he said. Crews also are focused on burn operations along Highway 33, which will remain closed until that area is secure, fire officials said, adding that the fire is still moving toward the roadway, but very slowly.
“Along [Highway] 33, it’s not over yet either, not by a long shot,” Johnson said.
As of yesterday evening, the cost of fighting the Zaca Fire had reached $92.6 million and 2,711 fire personnel remained on the scene. The acreage scorched by the blaze is now the second-largest in California fire history, which dates back to 1932.
San Diego County’s Cedar Fire of October 2003 tops the list at 273,246 acres. That fire destroyed 4,847 structures and resulted in 15 deaths. So far, the Zaca Fire has only destroyed one outbuilding and caused 40 minor injuries.
Santa Barbara County also boasts two other fires in the top 20 largest wildfires in state history, with the 1966 Wellman Fire at 93,600 acres and the 1955 Refugio Fire at 84,770 acres.
When asked if he thought the Zaca Fire might overtake the Cedar Fire, John said, “I certainly hope not, but you never know for sure. At least right now, everything is looking pretty good.”