La Brea Fire Information
Aug. 13 Evening Update

Los Padres National Forest
California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 / CAL FIRE
Jeanne Pincha-Tulley / R.Lewin, Incident Commanders

Acres: 48,457 Personnel: 1,859 Containment: 10%
Start Date: Aug. 8, 2009

For more Information: http://www.inciweb.org/; or call (805) 961-5770 from 6am-10pm

The La Brea Fire has now crossed Horse Creek and is burning to the south. On the east side of the Sierra Madre Ridge, the fire has reached Bates Canyon. On the west side, the fire has crossed La Brea Creek and is now in Bear Canyon. In an effort to secure the western flank of the fire, the helitorch will burn along the dozer line from the Colson Peak area to the northwest. Crews will continue the burning operation tonight if conditions permit. The north and northeast fire lines continue to hold the fire in the area of Treplett and Miranda Pine.

Firefighters continue to battle the blaze with all means at their disposal including the best tools, technology and equipment available. Despite extensive efforts, the fire continues to grow thousands of acres each day. This intense fire activity is due to a combination of extremely dense, old vegetation, very dry fuels, and constantly changing winds.

There will be a community meeting on Friday, August 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Benjamin Foxen Elementary School, 4949 Foxen Canyon Road, in Sisquoc.

Current Situation: Structure protection engines will be positioned in the Tepusquet area, while crews will be positioned along the west side to hold the fire along the dozer line. Firefighters will continue their efforts on the east side of the Sierra Madre Ridge.

Weather: Tonight's temperatures will be 54-60 degrees in low areas and 60-70 on the ridge tops. Early evening winds will be northwest changing to northeasterly 10-18 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

Evacuations:
Effective at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, August 13, an Evacuation Order was issued for all of Tepusquet Canyon, from Santa Maria Mesa Road to Highway 166, all of Colson Canyon, including the Blazing Saddles community, and all of Ruiz Canyon.
At 4:00 a.m. this morning an Evacuation Order was issued for Pine and Buckhorn Canyons, along roads 11N04 and 11N05, affecting 10 residences.
Effective since 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 11, an Evacuation Order was issued by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office for the following areas: Western Boundary: Sierra Madre Road; Southern Boundary: Cottonwood Road; Eastern Boundary: Highway 166; Northern Boundary: Spoor Canyon. This area includes Moon and Eckert Canyons.
An Evacuation Warning exists for areas bound by Cottonwood Road and Wasioja Road, and between Highway 166 and Sierra Madre Road.

Fire Investigation Tip Line: If you have any information regarding the La Brea Fire, please contact Forest Service Fire Investigators at 805-686-5074.

Caution: Due to emergency vehicle traffic and congestion on Highway 166, the public is urged to seek an alternate route and to use extra caution when traveling the highway.

Closures: An emergency closure order is in effect for portions of the Los Padres National Forest surrounding the fire area. For information, contact Fire Information at (805) 961-5770 from 6am-10pm or http://www.inciweb.org/

Resources: Engines: 90 Crews: 59 Dozers: 25 Helicopters: 11 Total personnel: 1,859