2024 Lake Fire

Links: Los Padres National Forest Facebook    

Maps:  Daily Public Info Map (pdf)     |     Fire History Map (pdf)     |      Fire Progression Map (pdf)    |       

Update:  Final Update (pdf)     |   Actualización final (pdf)      

SUMMARY:  Crews are continuing with suppression repair efforts in the area of the Lake Fire. Water bars are being constructed on fire lines in the area to reduce the potential of soil erosion and contamination of waterways by potential debris flow. Heavy equipment will be used to push large piles of dirt and vegetation back over the lines. With the goal of restoring the area as close to pre-fire conditions as possible, the project will be underway for several weeks. 

A type 3 incident management team from the Los Padres National Forest assumed command of the Lake Fire.

AREA CLOSURE: The Los Padres National Forest has an area closure for lands affected by the Lake Fire.  View the Closure Order & Closure Order Map.  This will remain in effect until August 18th, 2024, or until revised or rescinded.

ALL EVACUATION ORDERS AND WARNINGS WERE CANCELLED for the Lake Fire area effective Tuesday, July 23 at 4 p.m.

• Take caution when returning home as emergency personnel continue working in the area. Remain vigilant of changing conditions.
• All roads, trails, and recreational areas within the Los Padres National Forest Fire Closure Area remain closed. Visit the Los Padres National Forest website to access detailed closure information.

ROAD CLOSURES: Multiple roads within the Los Padres National Forest remain closed. Visit the Santa Barbara Ranger and Santa Lucia Ranger pages for details at Los Padres National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov). 

LAKE FIRE BACKGROUND: On July 5, 2024, firefighters from the Los Padres National Forest and Santa Barbara County Fire responded to a vegetation fire near Zaca Lake that grew rapidly through grass and brush during a prolonged heat wave across the west coast.

Santa Barbara County has proclaimed a local emergency due to the Lake Fire, which threatened several communities including Santa Ynez and Los Olivos, as well as ranches, farms, homes, campgrounds, and State Routes 154 and 176.     Read the Full Proclamation  Leer la Proclamación Completa.

FOREST ORDERS / RESTRICTIONS: No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites, even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit, which can be obtained free-of-charge at this website. Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person always attends the stove during use.

ABOUT THE FOREST: Encompassing almost two million acres, Los Padres National Forest spans some of the most ruggedly beautiful landscapes to be found anywhere in California.  Los Padres National Forest has ten designated wilderness areas comprising 875,000 acres.  

Ecosystems in Los Padres National Forest range from semi-desert in interior areas to redwood forest on the coast. Forest vegetation is classified into two major types: chaparral (68%) and forested lands (30%). Forested land includes mixed evergreen forests, oak woodland, pinyon-juniper woodland, and conifer forest. Management of chaparral vegetation consists essentially of prescribed burning and wildfire suppression. Forested lands are managed primarily to maintain health and vigor.