Smoke, ash descend on valley |
 As a blanket of smoke and ash fell on the Goleta Valley, the Zaca Fire had grown to nearly 128, 000 acres by Thursday and was 63 percent contained, according to information released by Los Padres National Forest public affairs officials. Some 3,000 people are working to contain the fire, burning since July 4, utilizing 123 fire engines, 18 helicopters, eight air tankers and 38 bulldozers.Although Hwy. 154 reopened, fire officials are strongly encouraging the public to continue using Hwy 101 and not 154 unless it is absolutely necessary. For those who do use 154, long delays can be expected due to the reduced speed limit of 45 mph and the continuous movement of slow-moving firefighting vehicles. Visibility may be reduced as a result of smoke. Hwy 33 between Ojai and Cuyama and the Lockwood Valley Road may close while firefighters conduct a firing operation to secure the fireline on the eastern perimeter of the fire. The blaze was burning about 12 miles east of the Ventura County town of Ojai, near where last year’s Day Fire scorched more than 163,000 acres of brush. The Zaca Fire was expected to cross the county line some time this week, either on its own or from a backburn operation by firefighters. Happy Canyon Road and Figueroa Mountain Road remained closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary, East Camino Cielo was closed between Painted Cave Road and Gibraltar Road due to fire equipment traffic; Paradise Road, within the evacuation warning area, was open to residents only. The Santa Ynez River Road campgrounds, day use areas and trailheads remained closed. According to officials, firefighters were continuing to conduct a backfire operation on the northern perimeter of the fire to burnout out vegetation between the fireline and the main blaze, which was actively burning in Sisquoc, Cliff and Logan canyons. Firefighters were successful in securing four miles of fireline from Santa Barbara Canyon to Sweetwater Ridge. On the east perimeter, the fire continued to actively burn in area known as the Narrows in Mono Canyon and was moving east toward the Matilija Wilderness. Firefighters were planning to begin a backfire operation in the area around Potrero Seco. The active fire was still burning within the indirect fire lines that incident commanders had established to contain this fire. National Forest closures encompass approximately 888,000 acres including the entire San Rafael, Matilija and Chumash wilderness areas, a portion of the Sespe Wilderness and adjacent national forest lands. Detailed information on closures can be found at www.inciweb.org or www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres. The fire information line is 961-5770.
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