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From 8:15am today: Day Fire Information September 20 Update

Moderate growth continued yesterday on the 97,685 acre Day Fire, mostly from relatively short uphill runs in the mountainous terrain. The fire is now 20 percent contained. Fire activity was most vigorous in the northeast corner, particularly in the Snowy Peak area. It also grew by about ¾ of a mile in a westerly direction. A planned burnout on the northeast corner of the fire was postponed until today due to smokey conditions. Fire managers are taking advantage of the few days of slightly cooler and moister conditions. As of this morning the fire is still approximately 7 air miles north of Fillmore, 9 miles north of Santa Paula, 7 miles south of Lockwood Valley and 10 miles northeast of Ojai. The fire has burned around Mutua Flat. No structures have been lost from this large blaze.

Today, fire fighters are using a two-pronged approach to battle this challenging blaze, by building fire line immediately adjacent to the flames, and constructing “contingency” lines away from the main blaze. With the forecasted “weak” Santa Ana event for this weekend, fire fighters are anxious to complete as much line as possible on the current 59 mile fire perimeter. Dozers continue to make progress building lines in the Frazier Peak area, along Nordoff Ridge from Rose Valley toward Sisar Canyon, and hand crews are making excellent progress building fire line on the south flanks.

For updated fire information, road and area closures contact Ventura County Fire Protection District Headquarters at 805-388-4276; and the Los Padres National Forest at 805-961-5770. Los Padres National Forest officials have initiated a very large forest closure in the fires proximity due to potential growth. A dry east wind, predicted for later this week, could fan the flames again.

Statistics: Acres – 97,685 Containment – 20 percent Personnel – 2109

Smoke - Smoke will likely continue to be heavy at times in many areas near the fire, especially in the Lockwood Valley area. Those sensitive to smoke should monitor the fires activity and stay indoors with the windows closed during heavy smoke events. If especially sensitive, residents should stay with a friend or relatives. Heavy smoke does not necessarily mean a fire is in the immediate area as it can drift for several miles.

From 4pm today: **Burnout to Reduce Fuels Begins**

• A planned burnout operation will begin at approximately 4 pm today in the Black Mountain area on the northeast portion of the Day Fire. The purpose of the operation is to use a “managed” fire approach to eliminate fuels that would feed the wildfire.

• Techniques that will be used involve both helicopters and hand crews who will use a planned strategic approach to reduce the fuels. First, helicopters will use what are called PSD’s, or Plastic Sphere Dispensers, that look like ping pong balls. They are dropped from the helicopter where they ignite on the ground.

• The approach for the burnout will be to start small scattered fires on selected ridge tops and let the fire back down towards Piru Creek, where engines, pumps and hoses will be used to stop the flames. Also, hot shot crews will burn some fuel along the creek as the fire approaches that area.

• Citizens will likely see flames and smoke from such areas as Lockwood Valley, Frazier Park and I-5.

• The goal for today through tomorrow morning is to reduce available fuel from Pyramid Lake and the Piru Creek junction, and then along Piru Creek towards Gold Hill. Beginning Thursday fire managers will continue the burnout using the same techniques of igniting small fires on ridge tops, and than letting the fire back down the mountains until it reaches the holding points along Piru Creek.

• The end of the ignition area will be near Mutau Flat, which should be done by late Thursday or early Friday.

Dozers continue to make progress building contingency lines in the Frazier Peak area west towards Lockwood Valley Road and east to Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area.