Single Publication

Lake Fire Start: Friday, July 5, 2024 at 3:48 p.m.

Cause: Under investigation

Location: Near Zaca Lake in Santa Barbara County, north of Los Olivos, California

Size at time of update: 38,663 acres

Containment: 42%

Personnel: 3,247

Full Incident Details: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-2024-lake-fire

North and South Zone: The fire remains under Unified Command with California Complex Incident Management Team 13, CAL FIRE, Santa Barbara County Fire, and Santa Barbara County Sheriff. 

North Zone Fire Report: Favorable weather and fire behavior provided an opportunity for firefighters to extend containment line along the fire edge with increasing confidence that the Lake Fire will not escape those lines. Dozer work is near completion. Along the southeast portion of the fire, firefighters continue working to search and destroy smoldering embers and connect containment lines across the less accessible portions of the fire edge.

South Zone Fire Report: Today crews increased containment lines and continued mop up. Creeping, smoldering, and low-intensity pockets are well interior of the fire perimeter. For more detailed information related to the Lake Fire, visit the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management website at www.ReadySBC.org.

Forecast for Wednesday: Slightly warmer and drier as high pressure begins to build. Expect highs generally in the upper 80s to mid-90s under full sunshine. Afternoon northwest winds 5-10 mph with gusts 15-20 mph. 

Donations: We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community. We ask that any donations or volunteer efforts be directed to local food banks to assist the community and those displaced by the fire. Lake Fire Incident Command posts cannot accept donations.

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  This will remain in effect until August 18, 2024, or until revised or rescinded. 

Smoke: As air quality conditions improve, the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) —Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) have lifted the Air Quality Alert in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Air Quality Watch will remain in place countywide, and air quality conditions are forecasted to be good to moderate throughout the county.

Evacuation Areas: The Santa Barbara County Sheriff has reduced some of the Evacuation orders and warnings:  See the most recent updates: https://www.readysbc.org/4275/Lake-Fire-Incident---July-2024 Register for emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org.

  Road Closures: Visit the County Road Closure Map for more details.

• Happy Canyon Road at the Forest Service Boundary
• Figueroa Mountain just north of Midland School
• Forest Route 10N06 
• Zaca Lake Road east of Foxen Canyon Road