Zaca Fire - 8/20 Monday Evening Thread
From the Forest Service, 8:00pm report...
Acres Burned: 215,692 acres
Increase last 12 hours: 967 acres
Fireline to Build: 3 miles
% contained: 77%
Injuries: 35
Personnel: 3,162
On the northwest perimeter, the fire is well established in Foresters Leap Canyon on the north rim of Sisquoc Canyon. Incident Commanders are planning a backfire operation along the Sierra Madre Ridge to contain the northern progress of the fire. On the northeast perimeter, the fire has actively burned in the Dick Smith Wilderness and is now less than a mile from the eastern boundary of the wilderness. This evening, firefighters will continue backfiring from the Cuyama Lookout Road towards Highway 33 along Dry Canyon. On the southeast perimeter, firefighters suspended backfire operations today near Potrero Seco Ranch and Pine Mountain Summit due to spot fires over the established dozer lines. All spot fires have been contained except for one. Tonight, firefighters will continue backfiring from Pine Mountain Summit to Ozena. These backfire operations are intended to provide a good secure line on the northeast and southeast perimeters of the fire.
Today, hand crews constructed fireline directly next to the fire’s edge along the south eastern portion of the fire. Secondary dozer lines were constructed below the direct handline in support of obtaining containment objectives. Some burning occurred in the interior section of the southwestern area of the fire. Rehabilitation of firelines and contingency lines will begin tomorrow.
Due to predicted low humidity, a red flag warning has been issued for the fire area until Wednesday night.
Firefighting resources staged at the Ventura County Fairgrounds are creating and reopening fuel breaks, clearing roads, and providing structure protection. The firefighters will also be available for initial attack for Ventura County and the Los Padres National Forest.
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Comments (7)
Tonight, firefighters will continue backfiring from Pine Mountain Summit to Ozena.
That's going to look real sad when it's over.
Comment #1 Posted by: phalarope | August 20, 2007 11:11 PM
reminds me of a certain book by Ray Bradbury...
Comment #2 Posted by: mike DiDj | August 20, 2007 11:19 PM
Which book by Ray Bradbury...?
Comment #3 Posted by: Berto | August 21, 2007 06:46 AM
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 #4 Posted by: Ed Nemechek | August 21, 2007 09:22 AM
The Forest Service apparently does not want a Silver Bullet to kill the Fire Goose laying all those golden eggs. It must cooperate with the old boys' club to protect the system and keep nature in her place. For a fire-proof analysis of what is really going on, see my analysis, "#8 Love and Fire" at http://thelovegovernment.blogstream.com/ Love, Dennis
Comment #5 Posted by: Dennis Leary | August 21, 2007 09:59 AM
RESPONSE TO DENNIS LEARY: I hope you're not trying to assert that protecting the profiteering interests of the Forest Services' "old boys' club" (which is certainly NOT keeping nature in her place) is more important than STOPPING THIS FIRE and saving our homes, lives, and loved ones! We must save our homes and families from the threat of U.S. Forest Service facilitated fire in this case by compelling the continuous use of the DC-10 by applying overwhelming public pressure on the Forest Service to do so. It's not accidental that Congressman Dana Rhorabacher of Huntington Beach, Ca. has condemned the U.S. Forest Service for failing to use the DC-10 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 it 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 01:02 PM
ANOTHER RESPONSE TO DENNIS LEARY: I looked your analysis (very good analysis) over and wish to urge you to take ACTION against the government MEGA-EVIL you have uncovered. Call your representitives now! For all it takes for evil to prosper (as it is now, here) is for good people to do nothing (see: www.JBS.org (search: wildfire). -Ed Nemechek-760-246-8059.
Comment #7 Posted by: Ed Nemechek | August 21, 2007 01:28 PM