Forest Service Reduces Zaca Fire Closure
Incident: Zaca Wildland Fire
Released: 8/29/2007
Forest Service Reduces Zaca Fire Closure
GOLETA, CA...Some areas within Los Padres National Forest east of Highway 33 that were previously closed to public entry because of the Zaca Fire will be reopened on August 30, the Forest Service announced today.
The revised emergency closure will encompass all national forest lands between Highway 166 and Highway 33. On the east side of Highway 33, the Pine Mountain Road (aka Reyes Peak Road and Forest Road 6N06), and all recreation facilities along the road will remain closed, as will the Boulder Canyon Trail (Forest Trail 23W03) between Pine Mountain Road and the Forest Service Station at Ozena. The closure affects approximately 663,435 acres of the 1.76 million-acre national forest.
The temporary closure is needed for public and firefighter safety. While the Zaca Fire is nearing full containment, it will be at least several weeks before the fire is completely controlled. In addition, firefighters and heavy equipment will continue to work in the general fire area putting out remaining hotspots and rehabilitating firelines.
The closure prohibits all public entry to national forest lands, trails, roads and recreation sites within the designated area. It does not apply to private land within or adjacent to the national forest. The closure will be in effect until further notice. A detailed description and map are available at Forest Service offices and on-line at http://www.inciweb.org/ and http://www.fs.fed.us.r5/lospadres .
Forest visitors are reminded that fire restrictions remain in effect throughout Los Padres National Forest. These restrictions prohibit the use of wood or charcoal fires in all areas; limit the use of gas-type stoves to designated Campfire Use Sites with a California Campfire Permit; prohibit recreational target shooting except at the Winchester Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club; and limit smoking to buildings, enclosed vehicles and Campfire Use Sites.
The Zaca Fire started on July 4, and has burned approximately 240,207 acres. It is currently 95 percent contained with full containment expected by September 4.
ORDER NO. 07-13-5100-11
EMERGENCY ORDER
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and to protect public safety and natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Los Padres National Forest. This order is effective from August 30, 2007 until the Zaca Fire is suppressed.
- Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Zaca Fire Closure Area. The Zaca Fire Closure Area begins three miles north of Pine Canyon Fire Station on State Highway 166 at the point where it intersects the Los Padres National Forest boundary; then following State Highway 166 easterly to where it meets the boundary of the Los Padres National Forest; then following the Los Padres National Forest boundary south to where it intersects State Highway 33; then south along the west side of Highway 33 to where it intersects Forest Road No. 5N13 (Matilija Road); then west along the south side of Forest Road No. 5N13 (Matilija Road) to its intersection with Forest Road No. 6N03 (Potrero Seco Road); then south on the east side of the unnamed fuelbreak to Forest Road No. 5N12 (Divide Peak); then west along the south side of Forest Road No. 5N12 (Divide Peak OHV Route, then Romero Camuesa Road, then Camino Cielo Road) to its intersection with Forest Road No. 5N40 (Gibraltar Road); then west along the north side of Forest Road No. 5N12 (Camino Cielo Road) to Highway 154; then north along the east side of Highway 154 to the Los Padres National Forest boundary; then north along the Los Padres National Forest boundary to the point of beginning, as shown on the attached Zaca Fire Closure Area Map. In addition, Forest Road No. 6N06 (Pine Mountain Road or Reyes Peak Road) is within the Zaca Fire Closure Area and is closed from its intersection with Highway 33 to its terminus at the Reyes Peak Trailhead; all recreation facilities along Forest Road No. 6N06 are closed. In addition, Forest Trail 23W03 (Boulder Canyon Trail) is within the Zaca Fire Closure Area and is closed from its intersection with Forest Road No. 6N06 to the Ozena Station at Highway 33. Paradise Road from the Los Padres National Forest boundary to the first crossing of the Santa Ynez River is not included in the Zaca Fire closure area. The recreation residences and campgrounds along Paradise Road in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area to the first crossing of the Santa Ynez River are not included within the Zaca Fire Closure Area; however, the First Crossing Day Use Area is within the Zaca Fire Closure Area and is closed. 36 CFR 261.52(e).
- Being on any National Forest System road within the Zaca Fire Closure Area.
36 CFR 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National System trail within the Zaca Fire Closure Area.
36 CFR 261.55(a).
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
·1. Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the
otherwise prohibited act or omission.
·2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire
fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
·3. Owners or lessees of land in the Zaca Fire Closure Area are exempt from the prohibitions listed above to the extent necessary to gain access to their land.
·4. Residents in the Zaca Fire Closure Area are exempt from the prohibitions listed above to the extent necessary to gain access to their residences.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.
Done at Goleta, California, this 29th day of August, 2007.
/s/ Kenneth E. Heffner
Kenneth E. Heffner
Forest Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571 and 3581.
This order supercedes order number 07-12-5100-10 dated August 14, 2007.
