Smoke and ash churned in the skies above Northern Santa Barbara County as the La Brea Fire continued to burn in a remote section of the Los Padres National Forest.
As of press time, the fire, which started on Aug. 8, had burned more than 20,000 acres approximately 26 miles east of Santa Maria, according to information from the U.S. Forest Service. Fire containment was estimated at about 10 percent. However, firefighting efforts had been hindered by the fire’s hard-to-reach location, dry weather conditions, and ample amounts of almost century-old brush.
In response to the burn, U.S. Forest Service officials issued an emergency closure order for sections of the Los Padres National Forest until further notice.
More than 1,000 firefighting personnel have responded to the blaze, including 23 fire engines, 34 fire crews, 17 dozers, and seven helicopters. As a result, the fire has yet to cross out of the wilderness into residential areas. Despite that news, Los Padres National Forest spokesman Joe Pasinato said officials are keeping close watch on some trouble areas.
“We’re aware of a couple of spots, to the west and north, outside of the bulk of the fire area where the fire is trying to get over Sierra Madre Road,” Pasinato said. “We don’t want it to get over the road.”
Crews are expected to improve and construct fire lines on the southeast side of the burn and hold a “mop up” on Sierra Madre Road.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Members of the public with information should call the tip line at 686-5074.
This article appears in Aug 13-20, 2009.
