August 12, 2009
La Brea Fire Meets Zaca Fire Perimeter
The La Brea Fire has pushed hard to the south and has met the two year old boundary of the Zaca Fire. The current acreage is presented as 25,000 or so but that is a fabrication, this fire is double that if the GeoMac heat impressions are accurate.
So what happens now? We know the Zaca Fire dozer lines are still in place so firefighters can anchor off those. Sisquoc Creek also offers a key potential fuel break for firefighters. If the La Brea blaze spots over and into the Zaca burn it will find two year old growth, a far cry from the 80 year growth it is feeding from currently.
I expect the fire to keep moving east as well as west. At this pace anything north of the Zaca perimeter that is green in the image above will burn. I would be surprised if this fire is held to under 100,000 acres.
So what happens now? We know the Zaca Fire dozer lines are still in place so firefighters can anchor off those. Sisquoc Creek also offers a key potential fuel break for firefighters. If the La Brea blaze spots over and into the Zaca burn it will find two year old growth, a far cry from the 80 year growth it is feeding from currently.
I expect the fire to keep moving east as well as west. At this pace anything north of the Zaca perimeter that is green in the image above will burn. I would be surprised if this fire is held to under 100,000 acres.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, La Brea, La Brea Fire, Zaca Fire, Zaca Fire Map
August 25, 2007
Zaca Fire Busts $100 Million, 83% Containment
Firefighters are still working hard on the Zaca Fire, the second largest wildfire in California history. As the fire "winds down" weather continues to challenge ground and air crews.
Below is a wind prediction chart that shows unfavorable winds developing over the next 24 hours.
Below is a wind prediction chart that shows unfavorable winds developing over the next 24 hours.
The fire perimeter map shows uncovered fire line on two fronts.
(Map from Inciweb)- Fire Status
- Acres Burned: 238,968 acres
- Acreage Increase (last 12 hours): 2732 acres
- Fireline to Build: 6 miles
- Date Started: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 am
- Percent Contained: 83 percent
- Expected Containment: September 7, 2007
- Injuries: 40
- Structures Threatened: 66
- Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding
- Cost to date: $101 million dollars
Labels: 2007 fire season, Zaca Fire, Zaca Fire Map
August 21, 2007
Hwy33 Not Breached, Firefighters Prevail
This thing is about over folks. You have to credit the incident management teams, superb piloting, skilled firing teams and brave hand and engine crews. When the chips are finally counted there will be some great stories to tell about the battle of Hwy 33 on the night of August 20.
From Santa Barbara County Fire- Zaca Fire update.
"Monday the existing fire line held even though unfavorable winds caused discontinuation of back firing operations. Firefighters are continuing to hold the line at the Monte Arido Fuel Break and the Pendola Jeepway. The fire was smoldering and creeping within the Caliente drainage with little active fire spread yesterday and fortunately is expected to progress very little. Unburned islands of fuel continue to burnout in several of the drainages. In the Richardson Zone on Monday strong winds, high temperatures, and extremely low humidity, in combination with exceptionally dry, heavy fuels in alignment with the winds and slopes again produced intense fire behavior. Aggressive suppression action with air tankers, helicopters and ground forces is ongoing along Hwy 33. Fire fighters have completed their backfiring operations from the Pine Mountain Summit North to Ozena...."
Updated statistics from Inciweb.
This is pretty much the way the final Zaca Fire perimeter will look.
(Click to expand)
Acres Burned: 220,863 acres
From Santa Barbara County Fire- Zaca Fire update.
"Monday the existing fire line held even though unfavorable winds caused discontinuation of back firing operations. Firefighters are continuing to hold the line at the Monte Arido Fuel Break and the Pendola Jeepway. The fire was smoldering and creeping within the Caliente drainage with little active fire spread yesterday and fortunately is expected to progress very little. Unburned islands of fuel continue to burnout in several of the drainages. In the Richardson Zone on Monday strong winds, high temperatures, and extremely low humidity, in combination with exceptionally dry, heavy fuels in alignment with the winds and slopes again produced intense fire behavior. Aggressive suppression action with air tankers, helicopters and ground forces is ongoing along Hwy 33. Fire fighters have completed their backfiring operations from the Pine Mountain Summit North to Ozena...."
Updated statistics from Inciweb.
This is pretty much the way the final Zaca Fire perimeter will look.(Click to expand)
Acres Burned: 220,863 acres
Acreage Increase (last 12 hours): 5,171 acres
Date Started: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 am
Percent Contained: 77 percent
Expected Containment: September 7, 2007
Injuries: 39
Crews: 72
Engines: 139
Helicopters: 20
Air Tankers: 8
Air Attack: 3
Dozers: 55
Water Tenders: 80
Total Personnel Assigned: 3,162
Cost to Date: $ 87.5 million
Live Oak Zone: The fire is in a smoldering condition in Agua Caliente Canyon. A Direct attack with Crews and Dozers are continuing. Richardson Zone: A Precautionary Evacuation Order is in place for the area west of Hwy 33 from the Santa Barbara/Ventura Co. line south to Pine Mountain Inn. Road Closure in effect on Hwy 33; Closed to all traffic from Pine Mountain Summit to Ozena. All other areas are open to residents.
| Current Wind Conditions | 8 (g-16) mph NE |
|---|
:-)
Labels: 2007 fire season, Zaca Fire, Zaca Fire Map
August 20, 2007
Pivital Day For Zaca Fire Teams
These images come from the Southern California Wildland Fire Hazard Center. The maps show favorable (flat) winds this morning however winds will increase steadily throughout the day from the West pushing from 8 to 18 MPH.
Fire Location; Lat: 34° 46´ 45" Long: 120° 5´ 24"
(Just above the two Channel Islands on the left side of the map)
August 20 9:00 am
August 20 5:00 pm
Fire Location; Lat: 34° 46´ 45" Long: 120° 5´ 24"(Just above the two Channel Islands on the left side of the map)
Labels: 2007 fire season, Zaca Fire, Zaca Fire Map
August 19, 2007
Zaca Fire Spots Over Hwy 33, Crews Chasing
*UPDATE: Corrected 0600 hr 8/20 Zaca Incident command from ICS-209.
" All other areas are open to residents. CORRECTION TO THE 8/19 #209 POSTED ON FAMWEB AT 1800 : FIRE HAS NOT MOVED TO THE EAST SIDE OF HWY 33 as stated in Block 33. "
The following data is taken from Incident 209 report and narrative from Santa Barbara County Fire.
Size/Area
Involved
199,588 ACRES
Projected Final Size:
236,578 !! (this will be revised)
Estimated Costs
to Date
$83,207,380
% Contained
or MMA
75 Percent
Injuries
to Date:
30
Growth Potential - Extreme
Difficulty of Terrain - Extreme
"Firing operations were proceeding well today along Pendola road and the Hildreth Jeepway but were suspended for safety's sake due to unfavorable winds, however firefighters held the existing fire line. Spot fires have occurred on east side of Hwy 33 at Pine Mountain Ridge and aggressive suppression action with air tankers, helicopters and ground forces is ongoing. Firefighting conditions were very dangerous today in several areas. Strong winds, high temperatures, low, low humidity and the blazing hot sun all combined and increased the intensity of the fire as it pushed up slopes and canyons, especially when they aligned with the wind. Flame lengths again today exceed 100 ft. in spots, as the fire consumed the the thick bed of heavy brush.
In the Richardson Zone* the fire is still trying to push itself to the east and northwest. There are concerns that due to Fire Weather Watch and the possibility of a Red Flag Warning the Fire could grow significantly. Firing operations have kept the fire north of the Ogilvy Ranch road. In the Ventura Zone* firefighters are gaining access through private lands as they prepare contingency lines and will continue to improve the existing fuel breaks, safety zones and interconnect the existing fuel breaks as needed."
Smoke and ash is affecting people in Ridgecrest as discussed on Panamint Charlie and has entered Death Valley. Satellite images show the smoke approaching Las Vegas.
maybe Hurricane Dean will finally put the Zaca Fire out.
" All other areas are open to residents. CORRECTION TO THE 8/19 #209 POSTED ON FAMWEB AT 1800 : FIRE HAS NOT MOVED TO THE EAST SIDE OF HWY 33 as stated in Block 33. "
(Revised acreage overnight grew to 214,725 acres)
The following data is taken from Incident 209 report and narrative from Santa Barbara County Fire.
Size/Area
Involved
199,588 ACRES
Projected Final Size:
236,578 !! (this will be revised)
Estimated Costs
to Date
$83,207,380
% Contained
or MMA
75 Percent
Injuries
to Date:
30
Growth Potential - Extreme
Difficulty of Terrain - Extreme
"Firing operations were proceeding well today along Pendola road and the Hildreth Jeepway but were suspended for safety's sake due to unfavorable winds, however firefighters held the existing fire line. Spot fires have occurred on east side of Hwy 33 at Pine Mountain Ridge and aggressive suppression action with air tankers, helicopters and ground forces is ongoing. Firefighting conditions were very dangerous today in several areas. Strong winds, high temperatures, low, low humidity and the blazing hot sun all combined and increased the intensity of the fire as it pushed up slopes and canyons, especially when they aligned with the wind. Flame lengths again today exceed 100 ft. in spots, as the fire consumed the the thick bed of heavy brush.
In the Richardson Zone* the fire is still trying to push itself to the east and northwest. There are concerns that due to Fire Weather Watch and the possibility of a Red Flag Warning the Fire could grow significantly. Firing operations have kept the fire north of the Ogilvy Ranch road. In the Ventura Zone* firefighters are gaining access through private lands as they prepare contingency lines and will continue to improve the existing fuel breaks, safety zones and interconnect the existing fuel breaks as needed."
Smoke and ash is affecting people in Ridgecrest as discussed on Panamint Charlie and has entered Death Valley. Satellite images show the smoke approaching Las Vegas.
maybe Hurricane Dean will finally put the Zaca Fire out.
Labels: 2007 fire season, Zaca Fire Map
Zaca Fire Advances Into Ventura County
Firing operations from Highway 33--
Highway 33 between Wheeler Gorge and Ventucopa has been closed except to local traffic only.
"Beginning at 10:00 am on Sunday, August 19th , this section of Hwy 33 will be closed to all traffic, including residents. The closure is required to safely conduct a backfire operation planned along Highway 33 from the Pine Mountain Road to Ozena. Travelers on Hwy 33 will continue be impacted while firefighters conduct firing and suppression operations and to secure the firelines on the eastern perimeter of the fire...."
Highway 33 between Wheeler Gorge and Ventucopa has been closed except to local traffic only.
"Beginning at 10:00 am on Sunday, August 19th , this section of Hwy 33 will be closed to all traffic, including residents. The closure is required to safely conduct a backfire operation planned along Highway 33 from the Pine Mountain Road to Ozena. Travelers on Hwy 33 will continue be impacted while firefighters conduct firing and suppression operations and to secure the firelines on the eastern perimeter of the fire...."
Full Zaca Fire discussion available Santa Barbara County Fire.
Labels: 2007 fire season, Zaca Fire, Zaca Fire Map
August 18, 2007
Zaca Control Line Map
The Zaca Incident Command posted this map to Inciweb last night. The massive head of the fire is less than 5 miles from the Ventura County line and approximately 15 miles from the outskirts of Ojai. Clicking the map enlarges details. Note the distance between the Richardson Fire Camp in the Cuyama Valley and the Live Oak Camp near Lake Cachuma.
(Credit: Zaca Fire GIS Section posted on Inciweb)
Weather won't be a help for a few days it seems. If you run the animated loop you'll see Ventura County is between two low pressure systems. Not good!
Weather Satellite
More animated satellite imagery here (press the animated link)
(Credit: Zaca Fire GIS Section posted on Inciweb)Weather won't be a help for a few days it seems. If you run the animated loop you'll see Ventura County is between two low pressure systems. Not good!
Weather Satellite
More animated satellite imagery here (press the animated link)
Labels: 2007 fire season, Zaca Fire, Zaca Fire Map
