Fire Investigators from Santa Barbara County Fire Department and CAL FIRE have determined the cause of the Zaca Fire. The fire was caused by sparks from grinding equipment.

Those responsible for starting the fire have been interviewed by investigators. They were repairing a water pipe on private property off of Bell Canyon Road. While making the repair a grinder was utilized. During the grinding operation sparks ignited dry vegetation. An attempt to extinguish the fire was unsuccessful and the fire rapidly spread out of control. The individuals who unintentionally caused the fire have been very cooperative.


The Zaca Fire was reported on July 4, 2007 at 10:53 AM. The San Rafael Wilderness on the Los Padres National Forest is currently threatened. Efforts are underway to keep the fire out of the wilderness area and south of the Sisquoc River Drainage. There is no estimate on full containment or control of the fire. No homes are currently threatened.

As of 6 pm Friday evening:

-The Zaca Fire has burned 4600 acres.
-It is only 30 percent contained.
-2000 fire personnel are expected to be on the fire this weekend.
-Temperatures on the fire lines have been 95 to 105 degrees.

Several camping areas off Figueroa Mountain Road and Happy Canyon Road have now been closed off.
Residents are still being allowed in. They may be receiving information through the reverse 911 system if the fire moves towards their properties.


For additional information on this incident please contact the Zaca Fire Information Line at 805-961-5770 or visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.


Senior Reporter John Palminteri has more on the story.