Zaca Fire continues to rage in San Rafael Wilderness

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara County Fire officials say the Zaca Fire has now consumed 1,500 acres -- an 800 acre increase over Wednesday night’s estimate -- and has burned its way through rugged terrain in the San Rafael Wilderness and crept into the Los Padres National Forest.
The blaze, which was sparked in Bell Canyon on Wednesday morning and spread quickly in near 100 degree fahrenheit temperatures, is burning about nine miles north of Los Olivos.
County Fire Captain Eli Iskow said 965 firefighters were working the last night and anticipates a total of 1,200 to be on the ground today.


Despite the fire’s growth, Iskow said it is 30 percent contained. He said containment is being measured by the amount of progress being made by hand crews and bulldozer lines where the fire’s south end, which is where the fire originated.
“As it’s growing they’re also containing it,” Iskow said.
He said the fire is spreading to the north and the east and that there are structures in a nearby canyon, which is currently five to six miles from the fire. He said the fire is moving in the opposite direction of the structures, but that the unpredictability of winds and the extreme dry conditions could change at any time.
Iskow said eight to 10 firefighters have been injured during the fire. Most of the injuries have been linked to the heat, but at least two suffered sprained ankles, while another cut his hand.
Iskow said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but that a welding or “grinding” operation was going on in Bell Canyon around the time the fire started.
He said a helidrop area where firefighters are dropped off by helicopter has been established on a nearby ridge. The rugged terrain has made it difficult for fire crews to reach the blaze, Iskow said.
He said six fixed wing tankers were dropping retardants on the fire today, while 15 helicopters were dropping water.
The fire command post, which was located near the Zaca Lake access road has been moved to the Live Oak camp along Highway 154.
Iskow said the remote nature is lucky because the majority of the county is just as dry and urged residents to clear brush and trim up the trees around their homes -- a yearly ritual called creating “defensible space.”
“With extremely dry conditions, it could go anywhere the wind wants to put it,” Iskow said. “We are in the beginning of July and we’re burning as if we’re in the middle-to-end of September.”