Authorities aid in fire effort, close forest

ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

As wind-whipped wildfires continued to rage throughout Southern California, local fire, health and forest officials are doing their part to aid neighboring counties and protect local residents.
Crews from Santa Barbara County and City fire departments joined the battle against the slew of blazes burning to the south, health officials upgraded air quality warnings and Los Padres National Forest authorities announced an emergency closure of all forest lands.

After fully containing a 710-acre blaze on the Sedgwick Reserve in the Santa Ynez Valley, a 22-member strike team of Santa Barbara County firefighters left Monday evening to help battle the 47,000-acre Ranch Fire currently threatening the Piru and Fillmore communities in Ventura County, County Fire Capt. Eli Iskow said. Other local firefighters continued to mop up and patrol the lines of the Sedgwick Fire, which was fully contained Monday afternoon.
"Temperatures are elevated, fuel moisture and humidity is still extremely low and high winds may continue throughout [Tuesday], mostly to the south of us," Capt. Iskow said. "Fortunately, we are not experiencing strong offshore winds that could create even more severe fire problems locally."
Santa Barbara County remains under a Red Flag Alert until 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Capt. Iskow said although local firefighters are traveling to battle other Southern California fires, all local fire stations are fully staffed and able to respond as needed. Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Ron Prince echoed those sentiments at today's City Council meeting.
"We are thankful that the winds haven't hit us like they have in Southern California," Fire Chief Prince said. "...Our heartfelt concerns and thoughts go out to all the residents affected by the fires."
Fire Chief Prince said city fire stations are at a "drawn-down" status with all excess resources battling fires to the south, but assured the Council that all stations remain fully staffed. He said 25 city firefighters have been deployed to other blazes and are expected to remain there for at least a week.
As a result of dangerous weather conditions and fire resources being stretched thin, Los Padres National Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez announced an emergency closure of the entire Los Padres forest, effective immediately. The closure is necessary to protect public safety and will be in effect until extreme fire conditions subside, Hernandez said in a news release.
Property owners and those with special use permits in the forest are exempt, and violators are subject to fines or arrest. Roads and highways running through the forest will remain open to through traffic and drivers are cautioned to be aware of possible fire activity, forest officials said.
As high winds continue to blow smoke from southern fires and whip up ash and dirt from the slopes of Santa Barbara's back country, exposed by the Zaca Fire, Santa Barbara County health officials upgraded a precautionary advisory to an air quality advisory.
Local residents are advised to be cautious and use common sense to protect their health, especially those with heart and lung disease, by staying indoors and avoiding prolonged or heavy exertion, health officials said. Mayor Marty Blum reiterated that advice after Fire Chief Prince delivered his brief fire update.
"We just need to hunker down at home and send our thoughts to those down south," Mayor Blum said.
Assemblymember Pedro Nava, chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, announced the introduction of disaster relief legislation for fire victims, allowing those whose homes were damaged or destroyed to receive property tax exemptions as they repair and rebuild, even if the property is not livable during that time. Taxpayers affected by the fire will also be able to deduct losses not compensated by insurance on their income tax returns for up to five years.