One month after it began, the Lake Fire has been 100% contained, marking the end of the blaze that burned 38,664 acres.
Since the fire began on July 5, fire crews have been working to contain the fire and slow its progress. The fire started near Zaca Lake.
According to Flemming Bertelsen, a spokesperson for Los Padres National Forest, fire crews have surrounded the fire and have been checking the area for heat. This is being done by air surveillance and by crews on the ground.
“The historical definition of containment is when there’s a fire line all the way around the fire,” Bertelsen said. “Then, as time goes on, we tend to be a little bit more cautious, and we tend not to call it contained until there’s a very low probability of escape.”
The total cost of the resources used to put out the fire is estimated to be $110 million. Aircraft, heavy ground equipment and thousands of people were assigned to the Lake Fire burning in eastern Santa Barbara County.
As of now, Bertelsen said there is no information on how the fire started and investigators are still working on determining its origin.
The remaining crews are working to repair damage to the area. While much of the damage was done by the flames, some of it was done as a way to slow the spread of the fire.
This work can include repairing trenches made by heavy machinery to block the fire from reaching more fuel, Bertelsen said.
BAER Report
Specialists are also working on the BAER report: Burned Area Emergency Response. A team of biologists, hydrologists, soil experts, and others examine the burn area and determine the best way to repair the area and prevent issues in the future.
“What they’re doing is basically trying to ensure that area (does not) receive further …detrimental impacts. Basically, the main idea there is when it rains this winter, we don’t want to have to deal with floods and large portions of the mountains shifting and sliding out,” Bertelson said.
Along with the geographical aspect, the experts will also determine the best way to protect wildlife and fauna. Other specialists will work to ensure the safety of important native sites and potential artifacts.
Forest Closure Order in Effect
All local evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, but a forest closure area remains in effect for part of Los Padres National Forest.
The current order, affecting the Figueroa Mountain area and nearby recreation sites and roads, expires Aug. 18 but Bertelson said it could be extended.
However, even if the closures are extended, Bertelson said that officials are meeting to discuss shrinking the area of the closures. The main concern for officials is the stability of the landscape and any risk to pedestrians.
Even though the fire is contained, officials are still reminding the public that the area around Zaca Lake is unstable. One of the main concerns is the number of burned-out trees that may fall unexpectedly and hills that have become unstable due to the loss of vegetation.
Two of the areas most impacted are Figueroa Mountain Road and Happy Canyon Road.
“People will probably be tempted to go scout out those areas and check out the effects of Lake Fire,” Bertelson said. “We just ask that for their own safety people try to restrain themselves from going up to see it.”
