Aggressive fire burns 500 acres, growing fast

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Fire crews are battling a vegetation fire seven miles north of Los Olivos on Foxen Canyon Road that has scorched at least 500 acres, authorities said.
Santa Barbara County Fire Spokesman Eli Iskow described the blaze as “burning aggressively and growing quickly.”
The flames are spreading through the forest near Figueroa Mountain above Zaca Lake, he said. “The fire is still burning aggressively on the northern flank,” Iskow said.
According to firefighters on the ground, the fire was reported at 10:30 a.m. and within an hour consumed hundreds of acres. On Foxen Canyon Road near the fire staging area, two helicopters could be seen making water drops on the blaze. Several planes were also seen buzzing through the smoke.

Fire crews evacuated 15 people from the Zaca Lake recreation area. No injuries have been reported and no structures are in danger, authorities said.
“At this time we are not anticipating any other evacuations,” Iskow said.
As of 2 p.m., fire officials were not able to determine the acreage burned by the flames due to smoke. About 150 firefighters are on the scene, with 500 expected to be there by this evening.
There is no danger to the front country, including Santa Barbara, Goleta and Montecito, Iskow said. People should avoid Foxen Canyon Road north of Los Olivos, authorities said, adding that a private fireworks display planned for later this evening on Foxen Canyon Road will not be canceled.