Edhat Staff
Update by the Edhat Staff
5:37 p.m., July 17, 2017
Forward progress of the brush fire on Foxen Canyon Road has been stopped at 35 acres, reports Captain Dave Zaniboni.
No structures were damaged or threatened during the fire. Two helicopters and four air tankers were reportedly making drops at one time with ten engines and two hand crews also on scene.
The fire was initially estimated to be over 50 acres and growing, but it’s now estimated to be at 35 acres.
Crews will remain on scene all night mopping up hot spots.
By the Edhat Staff
3:50 p.m., July 17, 2017
A 50-acre fire is growing near 8000 Foxen Canyon Road with fire crews diverting equipment from the Whittier Fire.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department has diverted equipment from nearby fires to attack this brush fire that has the potential to grow 300-400 acres, said Public Information Officer Mike Eliason.
Named the Mesa Fire, it’s now reportedly spread to both sides of the road and is spotting. Fixed-wing air tankers and helicopters have been ordered to combat the blaze.
Just after 2:50 p.m., dispatch received a report of smoke in the area, believed to be a brush fire. CHP is attempting to close several roads in the area near Foxen Canyon and Zaca Lake.
Fire bumps the road to the entrance of Zaca Lake on the Mesa Inc. pic.twitter.com/RNKBQjf2cx
— Dave Zaniboni (@SBCFireInfo) July 17, 2017
Crews arrived on scene at the entrance to the former Zaca Lake Resort area on Foxen Canyon Road, just north of Los Olivos. They found a fast-moving fire in light to medium brush, burning on both sides of Foxen Canyon Road. It immediately spread southeast due to the wind and was spotting ahead of itself, said SBC Fire Chief Dave Zaniboni.
As of 4:15 p.m. Monday, the fire is estimated to be over 50 acres. The cause is unknown and no structures are immediately threatened. Crews are making good progress and currently, the fire is burning in a direction where it will run out of fuel towards vineyard areas, said Zaniboni.
Edhat will update this article with more information as soon as it’s available.
(Photos: Santa Barbara County Fire Department)
