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DAY FIRE RESOURCE PAGE

[Update: 8:55pm] Topa Mountain Status
A reader in Upper Ojai writes: Three spots along the Topas lit up on the ridgeline. Right now all is dark, but every once and a while you can hear the wind roar through the canyons as the fire sucks the air up. There will probably be more flare ups tonight, because the light show we had says the fire is very near the top of the ridge line. As of right now we can’t see any downhill burning, but the smoke is pretty thick at the top of the Topas and could be blocking a clear view of the fire. [ed.note: the primary fire lines that are being defended are along the ridge, so it's expected that the fire will come up to the ridgeline. If it hops the ridge, there are additional lines of defense and structure protection. No confirmation from official sources yet, 8:15pm.]

And Diana Luboff contributes in the comments: We live on the south side of the Upper Ojai Valley at the Summit so we have a good view. We also have been seeing flames at the Topa Bluffs. Also the glow between the bluffs and Santa Paula Canyon is getting brighter. We are getting ready to evacuate so that we don't get in the way. More later...

[Update: 8:37pm] Ventura County Sheriff's Department
8:45pm: Highway 150 is now open, with no closures at this time
3:50pm: contrary to rumors that are circulating, there have been no recommended evacuations at this time. [ed.note: "recommended" is a step past "precautionary"]

[Update: 4:02pm] I just got off the phone with the Fire Information Center - here's the latest:
- Winds are being reported from the northeast, east and southeast in a swirling pattern and period of transition. They are blowing smoke everywhere. It was originally expected that winds would be fairly consistent from the north moving to an easterly vector.
- Precautionary evacuation is in place for Highway 150 up to Thacher School Road
- Highway 150 is now closed from North of Santa Paula to Reeves Road
- The most active part of the fire is in the Topa Mountains, particularly Hines Peak, but has not crossed over the ridge.
- Heavy smoke is being reported out at Rose Valley, Wheeler Gorge and Matilija.

Map Update: 6:10pm
GEOMAC Wildfire Viewer
Choose "DAY CA", then check both "MODIS Thermal Satellite" and "HMS Thermal Satellite" as well as "Cities And Towns", then click "RefreshMap", then click "Zoom In" and click on the area of the fire twice, you can get a good picture of the fire. Looks like some of the "spots" below the official fire line are now about a mile north of part of the 150. (hat tip: Robert Peake)

2nd Map Update: 6:24pm
California Fire Alliance - Fire Planning and Mapping Tools
Visit the above link. Click DAY a couple times to zoom in. Select and drag a box to zoom in on that area. (hat tip: Jerry)

[Update:4:00pm] Latest Weather - National Weather Service
HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM PDT SUNDAY...
Areas of northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with local gusts up to 50 mph will continue through early sunday afternoon. A slight decrease in winds is possible this afternoon into early evening before winds increase again overnight. Winds will be strongest through and below passes and canyons. A wind advisory means that winds of 35 mph or greater are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult...especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

[Update: 7:44pm] News Story
AP: Firefighters battle hot, dry winds
The fierce winds blew embers past the fire lines, igniting at least two "spot" fires that prompted officials to divert some of the resources assigned to the Day Fire. The winds also prompted authorities to briefly halt their 27 water-dropping helicopters. They were back in the air by the afternoon. "Today we were getting kind of smacked by the winds. The helicopters were up, and they were down," said fire Capt. Barry Parker. "We actually fared pretty well today considering what we were up against."

[Update: 5:45pm] News Story
Los Angeles Times: Embers From Ventura Fire Ignite New Blaze
Wind-driven embers blew past the massive Day fire's western edge in Ventura County around noon Saturday and ignited a 600-acre blaze just north of Thomas Aquinas College, officials said. Firefighters attempting to extinguish the spot fire used fixed-wing air tankers dropping water and fire retardant, said Capt. Barry Parker, spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department. About 350 students remain on campus at the Catholic college for now, said Anne Forsyth, director of college relations. The fire is about six miles north of the well-irrigated campus, she said. (hat tip: Howard Smith)

Day Fire Update - 10am: Good progress was made yesterday to complete as much fire line as possible
prior to today’s predicted Santa Ana winds, which could gust to over 60 mph at mountain tops in the fire area. Firefighters yesterday made progress to burn fuels under controlled conditions south of Piru Creek, and cleared additional fuels from Buck Creek to the Hardluck recreation site. A helicopter with special equipment was used for 6 hours to ignite small fires at scattered locations above Piru Creek extending to the Mutau Creek and Piru Creek confluence. More details after the jump...

Ventura County Fire Department Update - 11:32am
[VCFD link] [Spanish version]
Today may prove to be one of the most challenging days of the Day Fire as the predicted Santa Ana winds begin accelerating over the Ventura County area. Fire officials worked feverishly through the night in preparation. A "Red Flag" weather warning is in effect for today and Sunday as well as a health advisory. A Precautionary evacuation alert has also been issued and is listed below. More than 3,000 fire personnel are on-scene for what is said to be one of the largest fires in Ventura County. The Day Fire which started Labor Day weekend is approaching 117,000 acres at a current cost of more than $31 million [ed.note: three hours of operations in Iraq].

Dense smoke and ash permeating the air has prompted County health officials to issued a health advisory. The fire which remains at 39 percent containment has been an uphill battle for firefighters. Rugged steep terrain has proved to be a challenge to containment efforts.If traveling to the area, check with the California Highway Patrol and use caution because of possible heavy smoke and fire traffic.
[view VCFD photos]

Day Fire Photos
Blogger Doc Searls points us to Flickr photos tagged as "dayfire" - some amazing perspectives of the fire from a number of different photographers.

[Update: 8:04pm] Vacuum: Still no mention of the Day Fire, no resource links, nothing from our elected officials: Elton Gallegly, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, Audra Strickland, City of Ojai.

[Update: 8:09pm] Web Traffic: The Ojai Post has been visited by 2,963 visitors, with 6,410 page views so far today, a 60% increase in page views since yesterday. Thank you to the Ojai community for passing the word around and contributing in the comments and via email. Additional updates and questions should be directed to: tyler -at- ojaipost dot com.