Incident Update Lake Fire

Date:
07/09/2024
Time:
8:26 AM

Incident Facts

Name
Lake Fire
Start Date/Time
2024-07-05
Incident Status
Active
Location
Santa Lucia Road near Zaca Lake
Type
Wildfire
Cause
Under Investigation
Counties
Santa Barbara
Administration Unit
Unified Command: USFS Los Padres National Forest, CAL FIRE, and Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
26,176
Containment
12%
Structures Threatened
500
Structures Destroyed
0
Structures Damaged
1
Civilian Injuries
0
Firefighter Injuries
3
Civilian Fatalities
0
Firefighter Fatalities
0

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Overnight aviation resources with Santa Barbara County were able to make water drops to prevent the fire from making significant growth. Fire activity continued in the overnight hours in the wilderness area on the east side of the fire footprint. It resulted in significant smoke and expanded evacuation orders for remote areas.

The main priority is to prevent the fire from moving toward communities to the south. There is a Red Flag Warning issued for the fire area with strong winds, potential for longer fire spotting distances along with hot, dry conditions. Damage assessments are ongoing as crews locate any structures impacted by the fire.

Road Closures

Happy Canyon Road: Closed at forest boundary due to Lake Fire.

Foxen Canyon Road: Closed at Zaca Station Road and Tepusquet Road due to Lake Fire. 

Figueroa Mountain Road: Closed at Midland School due ot Lake Fire.

Old San Marcos Road: Closed due to Caltrans closue of Highway 154. 

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation Orders and Warnings

As of July 8, 2024 at 7 pm the following areas have been updated for EVACUATION WARNINGS and EVACUATION ORDERS due to threats to life and safety caused by the Lake Fire.

  • The Sheriff’s Office has issued an EVACUATION ORDER for parts of the Figueroa Mountain area as follows: south of Tunnel House at Sisquoc River, east of Figueroa Creek, north of the southern end of Cachuma Mountain, and west of Los Padres National Forest areas, due to the Lake Fire.  Leave the area immediately.

  • The Sheriff’s Office has issued an EVACUATION WARNING for the area of Goat Rock, east of Figueroa Creek, north of the US Forest Service entrance at Happy Canyon Road, and south of Cachuma Mountain due to the Lake Fire.
  • EVACUATION WARNING has been issued for the identified properties and parcels north of Calzada Ave, east of E. Oak Trail Rd, west of Happy Canyon, and south of the Sisquoc River areas.

  • EVACUATION WARNING is still in effect for the areas north of Zaca Lake Road, east of Foxen Canyon Road, and from the 9000 block and north to the Sisquoc River (including Rancho Sisquoc).

  • EVACUATION WARNING upgraded to EVACUATION ORDER for all areas from Figueroa Mountain Road at Junction Camp (including Tunnel Rd) to Chamberlin Ranch and all areas from Zaca Lake Rd at Foxen Canyon Road north to the Sisquoc River including east of Foxen Canyon Road to the 9000 block.

  • ALL EVACUATION WARNINGS and EVACUATION ORDERS in effect may be reviewed at Lake Fire Incident - July 2024 | Incendio Lake | Santa Barbara County, CA - Official Website (readysbc.org).

Assigned Resources

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Engines
189
Water Tenders
39
Helicopters
11
Dozers
62
Hand Crews
70
Total Personnel
2485

Cooperating Agencies

Name Phone Address URL
California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Sheriff, Pacific Gas and Electric, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services, Santa Barbara County, Public Works, California Department of Transportation, Santa Ynez Water District, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.