The Lake Fire burned more than 34,000 acres as of Thursday morning, after fire crews worked throughout another night to control the blaze.
Unified Command reported that the Lake Fire had burned 34,015 acres with a containment of 16%. The Lake Fire is by far California’s largest wildfire of the year, and the largest one in Santa Barbara County since the 2017 Thomas Fire.
The Lake Fire started on Friday on Santa Lucia Road near Zaca Lake and has grown significantly since then, drawing more and more firefighting resources to the scene. The cause remains under investigation.
According to Marc Pebbles, a fire public information officer, the blaze grew overnight as the flames encountered more foliage.
“In the morning the marine layer comes in and moderates the weather, but the fuel bed dries out in the day,” Pebbles told Noozhawk.
An excessive heat warning is in effect for the fire area through Saturday, and high temperatures in the 80s and 90s have been reported even at night.
The southeast perimeter has been one of the most active portions of the Lake Fire, according to progression maps and incident reports.
One of the ways that fire crews are trying to contain the fire is through tactical burning. The technique requires firefighters to burn portions of land, like grassy areas, before the flames can reach them, depriving the fire of additional fuel. Officials say this will help protect communities south of the fire in Los Olivos.
Crews conducted firing operations at the Sedgwick Reserve area Wednesday.
Ventura County Fire hotshot crews used drip torches and devices similar to road flares shooting flammable material into the grasses, Noozhawk photographer Ray Ford reported from the scene.
“The focus is on burning out along the road from Brinkerhoff Avenue all the way to the top of the Sedgwick Preserve at Figueroa Mountain Road, with an emphasis on the lower part of the ranch road where they hope to stop the lateral movement of the fire as well as its advance toward Highway 154,” Ford reported Wednesday.
Lake Fire Resources
Four firefighters have been injured since the beginning of the fire, with some being labeled as traumatic injuries. No civilian injuries have been reported.
According to CalFire, no homes have been burned but four structures have been damaged, including three recreational residences and one outbuilding on forest land.
There are currently 3,034 personnel on staff to fight the flames with 28 helicopters and 221 fire engines being mobilized to help. Unified Command is establishing a second command post at the Santa Maria Speedway in Nipomo.
The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office reported that the fire has affected 1,165 people in the evacuation warning area and 441 people in the evacuation order zone.
Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect for remote communities and Los Padres National Forest areas in the eastern Santa Ynez Valley.
For the most recent evacuation information check readysbc.org’s Lake Fire page. Click here for an interactive map of affected areas.
Due to the ongoing fire, smoke and has been making its way through other parts of the county.
According to the Smoke and Fire Map from AirNow, the northern portion of Santa Barbara may see an increase in smoke and ash. It is recommended that residents in this area keep outdoor activities to a minimum, while at-risk groups stay inside.
To see real-time updates on the air quality around you, click here.
Noozhawk executive editor Giana Magnoli contributed reporting to this story.
