More evacuation orders, warning cancelled as containment increases on 38,000-acre blaze
By Mike Chaldu
michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Fire crews have been making steady progress on the Lake Fire, which has burned for nearly two weeks on the northern edge of the Santa Ynez Valley.
The blaze, first reported Friday, July 5, is at 38,664 acres, but growth has been minimal and containment is up to 66 percent, according to the latest incident update by Cal Fire (fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/5/lake-fire) at 6:04 p.m. Thursday, July 18. That update also reports that firefighters continue to mop up and pull hose off the fire line.
Several evacuation orders were issued since the fire began, mostly in remote areas, but most have been canceled as of July 17. Those remaining include:
EVACUATION ORDER:
- The area between the western fire perimeter and the Los Padres National Forest Fire Area Closure.
- Area east of La Brea Creek and Forest Route 10N06, south of the Los Padres National Forest boundary, and north of the Sisquoc River.
EVACUATION WARNING:
- Area east of Kelly Canyon, north of Sisquoc River, west of La Brea Creek and Forest Route 10N06, and south of the Los Padres National Forest.
Road closures include:
- Forest Road 10N06/Rancho Sisquoc closed east of Foxen Canyon Road. (Not open to the public.). Foxen Canyon Road is open (not a county road and not listed on the county road closure map).
- Zaca Lake Road east of Foxen Canyon at/near burn zone.
- Figueroa Mountain Road east of Midland School at the forest boundary.
- Happy Canyon Road at the Forest Service Boundary.
- 5 closures within USFS Fire Area Closures – 11N909, 11N01, 10N10, 9N11, 9N11 north of 9N11B all at forest boundaries.
After growing from its starting point near Zaca Lake, the fire was split into a North and South Zone for crews as it expanded in acreage and personnel. The fire remains under Unified Command, with two fire camps to support firefighting efforts, with 2,368 personnel currently assigned to fight the fire. In addition to the personnel, multiple agencies have a total of 11 helicopters, 118 engines, 54 dozers 43 water tenders, and 58 crews assigned to the blaze as of Thursday.
A cause for the fire has not yet been determined, but the investigation continues.
The area the fire originated from is approximately 15 miles north of Los Olivos and approximately 20 miles east of Los Alamos. Highway 154, which ends at Highway 101 near Los Alamos is still open, and there were no indications it was threatened by the fire. The blaze had also gotten close to the former Neverland Ranch, which was Michael Jackson’s residence, and the Midland and SYV Family schools nearby, but none were believed to be in danger.
More information on the fire and evacuations can be found at fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/5/lake-fire or by calling the Santa Barbara County Call Center at (833) 688-5551.
