Zaca Fire: 8/21 Tuesday Morning Thread
From Joint Unified Command (Los Padres National Forest and Santa Barbara County Fire Department):
Hwy 33 between Wheeler Gorge and Ventucopa will remain closed until Friday due to firefighting equipment and heavy smoke. Residents will be allowed to enter the area but must carry identification to access areas within the road closure.
On the southeast perimeter, firefighters were successful in constructing fireline directly next to the fire’s edge east of the Hildreth Jeep trail and north of the Pendola Jeep Trail. Secondary dozer lines were constructed below the direct handline in support of obtaining containment objectives. Good progress was made last night in continuing to tie in the remaining line construction. Rehabilitation of firelines, contingency lines, and roads will begin today. Approximately 300 miles of dozerline are in need of restoration.
Due to predicted low humidity, a red flag warning has been issued for the fire area until Wednesday night.
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I added some links yesterday to the Zaca Fire Information page, including some blogs and a couple map links.


Comments (7)
THE DC-10 is the "SILVER BULLET" that will TURN THIS FIRE AROUND if used on a CONTINUOUS basis (approx. once an hour, 7 hours a day).I was glad to see the report that: The DC-10 has flown every day "for the past few days". Forest Service Air Operations gives it high praise, but warns that it is not a "silver bullet",...However, I certainly disagree with the last part of this obfuscating statement designed to downplay the effectiveness of the DC-10 as it's obvious that the DC-10 IS a "silver bullet" in every sense of the phrase as it will surround and STOP the fire if used CONTINUOUSLY approx. 7 hours a day instead of "every day for the past few days" as the report says. The DC-10 or a Supertanker like it could have stopped this fire in one day if used in the begining and can still do it now if used aggressivly instead of relying on antiquated equipment and techniques as the U.S.Forest Service is now doing and has done for over 12 years. Let's call our public leaders and demand the DC-10 be used continuously! (see: www.JBS.org (search: wildfire),about Forest Service mismanagement. -Ed Nemechek -760-246-8059
Comment #1 Posted by: Ed Nemechek | August 21, 2007 12:06 PM
Seriously, Ed, as another commenter suggested on another thread, please stop copying and pasting the same thing over and over. It is stifling discussion on the immediate needs and observations of the Ojai community. We get your point.
Comment #2 Posted by: Tyler | August 21, 2007 12:27 PM
the wind must've shifted...the sky's all orangey again. i notice that our particles rating has slipped down one point from this morning (from 64), but that our ozone rating has skyrocketed...i think it was a single digit this morning, and now it's at 47. still within the "Good" range, but still...
Comment #3 Posted by: evan | August 21, 2007 01:23 PM
I see on the inciweb that the acreage burned in The Zaca Fire has surpassed that of The Matilija Fire of 1932 that burned 220,000 acres by 863 acres and counting, placing The Zaca Fire as the second largest recorded wild-land fire in California. Only 52,000 acres and some change to surpass the the The Cedar Fire of 2003 that stands at 273,246 to become the largest ever recorded fire in California history.
Does it look like that is possible, or does it seem they will have it out before that number? It seems to me, if they are talking about full containment not until Sept. 7th, that it will certainly surpass The Cedar Fire.
Comment #4 Posted by: Dana and Alyeska | August 21, 2007 02:18 PM
posted 1 min. ago...
http://venturacountystar.com/news/2007/aug/21/county-now-zaca-fire-battleground-crews-fight-in/
Comment #5 Posted by: Kate | August 21, 2007 02:27 PM
O.K. Tyler, but I might observe that if they let the DC-10 do its' job we wouldn't have many immediate needs to talk about and I feel it's not accidental that Congressman Dana Rhorabacher of Huntington Beach, Ca., in a speech, has condemned the U.S. Forest Service for failing to use the DC-10 for years in the past describing them as "the worst old boy network he's encountered in his career"!-and I say the Forest Service is certainly proving him right as they continue their foot-dragging on the DC-10 issue. We as concerned citizens must force U.S. fire officials to protect us because they obviously will not do so on their own. We must act now and the DC-10 is the answer. Call our representatives everywhere -Ed Nemechek-760-246-8059. see:www.JBS.org (search: wildfire).
Comment #6 Posted by: Ed Nemechek | August 21, 2007 02:37 PM
Hey Ed - my point is that cutting-and-pasting the same info over and over compromises our community's ability to communicate with one another. The fact is that we do have immediate needs, and I would suggest using your newfound soapbox with some consideration for what our immediate needs are, regardless of what long-term changes, policies and legislation need to be put in place. Thanks much, tyler
Comment #7 Posted by: Tyler | August 21, 2007 03:05 PM