Start date July 4, 2007 Cost 118.3 million USD Burned area 240,207 acres (972 km2) | Buildings destroyed 1 Injuries 43 | |
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Location San Rafael Mountains, Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County, California Cause Sparks from a grinding machine on private property | ||
Zaca fire
The Zaca Fire was a wildfire which began burning in the San Rafael Mountains, northeast of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, California.
Contents
The fire started on July 4, 2007, and by August 31, it had burned over 240,207 acres (972.083 km2), making it California's second largest fire in recorded history at that time after the Cedar Fire of 2003. As of 2015, it is currently California's fourth largest fire in recorded history. The fire was contained on September 2, 2007. It was declared controlled on October 29, 2007.
The fire was started as a result of sparks from a grinding machine on private property which was being used to repair a water pipe.
By August 12, progress was being made on the fire through the combined efforts of firefighters and aircraft. Firefighters were able to turn the direction of the fire away from the Paradise Road community.
Zaca fire
Effects
As of September 2, the fire had cost $117 million to fight, and was 100% contained. The fire had primarily burned away from populated areas in extremely steep and rugged areas of the San Rafael Mountains in the Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Ynez River Recreation Area. It only destroyed one Forest Service outbuilding. Its impacts on the environment and area water resources are not yet fully known. Many trails and campgrounds in the Dick Smith Wilderness were destroyed. Since then a number have been rebuilt.
