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Update: Aug. 12, 12:09 p.m. — Investigators looking into the cause of the La Brea fire, which has burned through an estimated 25,724 acres in a remote area of the Los Padres National Forest, are asking for more information about vehicle traffic along Sierra Madre Road on the afternoon the blaze began.
Authorities have spoken to witnesses but hope to learn more about a tan or gold Chevy van last seen on the roadway on the afternoon of August 8. Anyone in the general area at the time or has information about the origin of the fire should call 686-5074. Anonymous tips are welcome.
Strong wind gusts topping 50 mph pushed flames to the west toward Treplett Mountain during the night, fire officials said, and also spread the fire to the east toward Cuyama Valley.
However, firefighters made good progress with burnout operations along the northern flank to hold the fire along Sierra Madre Ridge. Officials said crews are working in steep, rugged terrain choked with thick, dry chaparral.
Community members are being invited to a fire information meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Benjamin Foxen Elementary School, 4949 Foxen Canyon Rd., in Sisquoc.
Today, firefighters plan to secure lines around the fire above Cuyama Valley to the east and reinforce bulldozer lines on the west. Three helibases and a retardant base are also offering air support.
Wind gusts are expected to reach 25 mph in the fire area today, while temperatures will reach into the low 90s along ridges and into the upper 90s in valley areas.
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As the La Brea fire continued to burn through thick chaparral in a remote area of the San Rafael Wilderness, crews focused on building contingency lines and attacking flames that had started to threaten a smattering of ranch homes.
The blaze has scorched a total of 21,029 acres and containment estimates stand at 10 percent. Flames began slopping over Sierra Madre Ridge along the eastern flank, causing some concern among fire officials.
“As a result of that, they have an evacuation order issued,” said Maeton Freel, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, adding later, “They’re pretty active out there with dozers and crews, working to get lines in and get a handle on it to keep it from spreading into the valley.”
An evacuation order was issued for an area bounded on the west by Sierra Madre Road, on the south by Cottonwood Road, on the east by Highway 166 and on the north by Spoor Canyon. That swath of sparsely populated land includes Moon and Eckert canyons, fire officials said.
A total of 14 occupied ranches are affected by the mandatory order to evacuate and authorities have contacted all homeowners in the area.
“It’s all pretty much scattered ranching and ranching facilities,” Freel said. “In some of the areas down below there are some old oil fields, but it’s not anywhere close to that.”
A new evacuation warning is also in place for the region bounded by Cottonwood and Wasioja roads between Highway 166 and Sierra Madre Road. Residents in the area should be prepared to evacuate.
Evacuees have the option of staying at a Red Cross shelter that opened yesterday at Benjamin Foxen School, 4949 Foxen Canyon Rd., in Sisquoc. Assistance with evacuating animals is also available by calling 681-4332.
Fire officials are asking motorists to avoid traveling on Highway 166, as the roadway is being used heavily by firefighting equipment.
Extremely dry brush that hasn’t burned since 1922 has enhanced the rapid spread of flames, which have been seen spotting far ahead of the main front of the fire. Despite the difficult terrain, crews have been attacking the fire directly at times and camping out in safe locations near the firelines during downtime, a practice known as “coyoteing” or “coyote tactics.”
One injury was reported yesterday; a firefighter suffered an abdominal hernia. Fire officials said 1,277 fire personnel are on the scene and firefighting costs have grown to $2.2 million.
Humidity levels rose yesterday evening to roughly 50 percent and temperatures had dropped relative to previous days. Wind gusts were topping out at 10 mph.
In addition to focusing on the eastern front, Freel said fire officials are also keeping an eye on active burning along the northwest perimeter near the La Brea and Tepesquet areas.
“They’ve been focusing on building dozer lines in that area,” he said.
An active air assault has continued with the Martin Mars air tanker joining the firefighting efforts. The aircraft, among the largest air tankers in operation, can drop up to 7,200 gallons of retardant.
Authorities are still looking into the cause of the fire and asked anyone with information to call a tipline at 686-5074.