Local firefighters assist on Ventura County blaze

ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

After fully containing a 710-acre blaze on the Sedgwick Reserve, a group of Santa Barbara County firefighters left Monday evening to help battle the 54,000-acre Ranch Fire in Ventura County.
A structure protection strike team, totaling 22 firefighters, are on the scene as flames threaten Piru and Fillmore communities, County Fire Capt. Eli Iskow said. Other local firefighters are mopping up and patrolling the lines of the Sedgwick Fire, contained Monday afternoon.

"Temperatures are elevated, fuel moisture and humidity is still extremely low and high winds may continue throughout today, mostly to the south of us," Capt. Iskow said in a statement released Tuesday morning. "Fortunately, we are not experience strong offshore winds that could create even more severe fire problems locally."
Santa Barbara County remains under a Red Flag Alert until 8 a.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.
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 fires burning to the south 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.
"Everyone is advised to be cautious and use common sense to protect your family's health, especially people with heart and lung disease," according to a release from the County Public Health Department. "...Residents are advised to minimize time outdoors and avoid prolonged or heavy exertion."
Assemblymember Pedro Nava commended President Bush and Gov. Schwarzenegger for declaring states of emergency for counties throughout Southern California.
"The declarations will bring much needed federal and state assistance to the people of California in our time of need," Nava said in a prepared statement. "It is imperative that federal and state resources are available to the victims of these devastating fires."
Nava also 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.