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: 34,015 acres

Containment: 16%

Personnel: 3,034

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

Media Assets: Official 2024 Lake Fire Photos and Videos

The Lake Fire has reached more than 34,000 acres and is now split into a North and South Zone as the fire expands in acreage and personnel. The fire remains under Unified Command, with two fire camps to support firefighting efforts. 

South Zone Fire Activity: The fire has now been divided into two zones, the North Zone led by CIIMT13 with US Forest Service and the South Zone led by IMT5 with CAL Fire. The purpose of zoning the fire is to ensure strategic, logistical, and operational functions are met; as this fire has grown in complexity. Today, crews continue to actively fight fire while working on strengthening containment and control lines. 

North Zone Fire Activity: The Lake Fire has not crossed Happy Canyon Road as crews hold the fire. The Davy Brown area has moderate fire behavior. Ground crews are doing good work in efforts to manage fire spread around the Sisquoc River Drainage. Tactical firing operations are working well to reduce burnable fuels ahead of the fire and continue today. Ground crews are working with various aircraft today to help with suppression tactics.

Forecast for Thursday: No significant changes are expected. Winds will shift to a more westerly direction, with speeds generally light at 5-10 mph and gusts up to 15 mph, with some local gusts reaching 25 mph on ridges above 3500 feet. Afternoon highs will return to the 90s, with relative humidity values dropping to 10-20%. 

Approximately 2,166 people within the evacuation warnings and order areas have been impacted by the Lake Fire.

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. A significant number of firefighting resources are working the incident, including hand crews, engines, dozers, and air resources for water and retardant drops. The fire is under Unified Command with California Complex Incident Management Team 13, Santa Barbara County Fire and CAL FIRE.

EVACUATION INFORMATION: https://www.readysbc.org/4275/Lake-Fire-Incident---July-2024 If you haven’t registered for emergency alerts, register at ReadySBC.org. Receive local emergency alerts via text, phone call, and email. 

Los Padres Forest Lake Fire Area Closure: Recreation areas with the Santa Barbara and Santa Lucia Ranger Districts may be impacted by smoke and ash from the Lake Fire. A portion of the Los Padres NF is closed, please view the Closure Order & Closure Order Map.  . 

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

• Happy Canyon Road at the Forest Service Boundary
• Foxen Canyon Road from Zaca Station Road to Tepusquet Road
• Figueroa Mountain Road at 1/2 mile north of Highway 154.
• Calzada Avenue at Roblar
• Brinkerhoff Avenue at Roblar