Single Publication

Lake Fire Incident Update July 24, 2024

Lake Fire Phone: 213-631-5455 Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Lake Fire Email: 2024.lake@firenet.gov

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: 38,664 acres
Containment: 90%

Personnel: 909

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

Yesterday at 4:00 p.m. the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office cancelled all Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Warnings previously in place due to the Lake Fire. Residents are urged to take caution when returning home as emergency personnel continue working in the area. The Los Padres National Forest Closure Order is still in place. 

The majority of the work on the Lake Fire has transitioned to fire suppression repair. Crews and heavy equipment operators have been busy rehabilitating dozer lines, trails, and roadways around the fire area. Crews are working to the south from Manzana School House to the fire perimeter chipping brush cut to bolster control lines. After some difficulty getting equipment into the area, repair work has begun from Miranda Pines Mountain to the southwest. Along the southern edge of the fire, suppression repair is 95% complete. Firefighters are working with resource advisors assigned to the incident to identify sensitive cultural sites and damaged roads and trails. 

Yesterday, flights by helicopters and drones with infrared camera technology found very little heat in the vicinity of the fire line. Firefighters will continue to seek out smoldering spots until they are certain there is no longer a threat to the established control line. Many hot spots are burning out on their own as heavy fuels burn down to ash.

Forecast for Wednesday: Persistent heat and low humidity are expected through Thursday. 

Lake Fire Area Closure: Some roads and trails within the Los Padres National Forest are closed. Refer to the Closure Order & Closure Order Map using links or visiting the Los Padres National Forest website. This closure will remain in effect until August 18, 2024, or until revised or rescinded. 

Smoke: The 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: All Lake Fire Evacuation Orders and Warnings have been lifted. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s encourages all county residents to 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.