Ash has been falling like rain here.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Ash has been falling like rain here.

It has been difficult to breath. My little black car looks almost grey with the amount of ash that has collected on it. The sunsets have been a glorious orange/red. But years living here, experiencing decades of fires, I know that sunsets of such beauty could only mean disaster somewhere close by.

And this Zaca Fire that has been raging since July 4, quite possibly could prove disasterous to hundreds of Santa Barbara County residents and a mainstay of our local economy, wine tasting and winery touring. (Remember, Sideways?)

An estimated 200 residents were evacuated monday evening in an area east of Santa Barbara's wine country as the stubborn Zaca wildfire spread and crept closer to homes and ranches.

Officials issued the evacuation order — the first since the fire began on July 4 — about 7:30 p.m. the 25,000-acre blaze burning in the Los Padres National Forest and San Rafael Wilderness moved east and south, coming within about two miles of some residences, said Santa Barbara County Fire Capt. Eli Iskow.

A voluntary evacuation order also was issued for 1,000 residents living in and around Los Olivos, he said. - Latte Times

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department has issued an "Evacuation Order" for the residents of Happy Canyon Road above Baseline Road, including the communities of Tunnel Ranch, Peachtree Canyon, Rancho De Los Vistadores, and the Sedgwick Ranch. The Zaca Fire is at McKinley Ridge and is an immediate threat to life and property. Residents who live in or around the identified communities are advised to immediately evacuate. - InciWeb

Labels: Santa Barbara, Wildfires, Wine Country, Zaca