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: 63%

Personnel: 2,783

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: Firefighters continue to extend containment line along the fire edge and add to the percentage of containment. An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is in use to detect heat from the air to assist crews in locating and extinguishing hotspots and smoldering embers. Shifting winds today and an extreme heat warning tomorrow may increase fire behavior. The use of fire retardant from aircraft has been very successful in assisting ground crews.

South Zone Fire Report: Fire held to control lines with no further growth expected, crews continue to mop up and pull hose. Small, isolated instances of heat remain interior. For more detailed information related to the Lake Fire, visit the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management External Link.

Forecast for Thursday: Warming conditions continue with widespread afternoonhighs in the 90s under sunny skies. Humidity continues to decrease. Northwest onshore wind gusts of 15-20 mph are anticipated.

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. Lake Fire Incident Command posts cannot accept donations.

Lake Fire Area Closure: Roads and trails within the closure are closed. Refer to 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  This will remain in effect until August 18, 2024, or until revised or rescinded.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 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