Whittier Fire
 | This article is about Whittier Fire, a current wildfire where information can change quickly or be unreliable. The latest page updates may not reflect the most up-to-date information. This wildfire is still actively burning, so residents should refer to local authorities for up-to-date information. |
| Whittier Fire | |
|---|---|
 Smoke from the fire covers the sky over Goleta. | |
| Date(s) | July 8, 2017 - |
| Location | Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°34′01″N 119°57′11″W / 34.567°N 119.953°W |
| Statistics[1] | |
| Burned area | 17,364 acres (70 km2) |
| Impacts | |
| Non-fatal injuries | 9 |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Map | |
  Location in Southern California | |
The Whittier Fire is a wildfire currently burning in the Santa Ynez Mountains, south of Lake Cachuma, along Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County, California. Within several hours of burning, the fire had ballooned to over 5,400 acres (2,200 ha) as the fire rapidly burns pirmarily to the southeast towards the city of Goleta.[1] The wildfire has resulted in evacuations of the Highway 154 corridor in the Lake Cachuma area as well as Camp Whittier.[2]
Events
The fire, which was first reported at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, began burning in the Los Padres National Forest in chaparral that hadn't burned in approximately 70 years, according to officials.[1][3] Reportedly ignited by a vehicle fire, flames jumped Highway 154 and proceed in a southeast direction towards the Santa Ynez Mountains. Eighty people, including mostly children, at Circle V Ranch Camp near Lake Cachuma were forced to shelter in place as when it became too late to evacuate. No campers or staff were injured.[3] Throughout the course of the day, the fire had expanded from 330 to over 5,400 acres (22 km2) as containment sat at zero-percent.[4] Firefighters set up a command center at Dos Pueblos High School.[5]
On the morning of July 9, the fire had burned 7,800 acres and was at 5% containment. Residents along Farren Road inside and west of Goleta were evacuated.[6] 20 structures were destroyed, and a lot of evacuation was done along Highway 154.[7]
In the afternoon on July 9, the fire burned down the Rancho Alegre Outdoor School.[8] The fire remained "completely out of control", and sections of Highway 101 received evacuation warnings.[9] Later that day, It was reported that over 3,600 people had evacuated as a result of the Whittier Fire. [10]
On the morning of July 10, the fire had burned 10,823 acres and was still at 5% containment.[11]
On the morning of July 12, the fire had burned 11,920 acres and was at 48% containment.[12]
As of the evening of July 14, the fire was at 52% containment and had burned 13,199 acres. Due to changing weather conditions, the fire spread westward.[13]
On July 15, containment had dropped to 35% as the fire was pushed down the mountainside toward Goleta. It had burned 17,364 acres.[14]
References
- ^ a b c "Whittier Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
- ^ Locke, Cathy. "Firefighters Battle 3,200-Acre Brush Fire Near Camp Whittier on Highway 154; Evacuations Ordered". KTLA. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- ^ a b Hesel, Phil. "Whittier, Alamo Fires Prompt Evacuations Amid California Heat Wave". NBC News. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- ^ "Brush fire near Lake Cachuma prompts evacuations, closes Highway 154". ABC 7 Eyewitness News. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
- ^ http://www.keyt.com/news/wildfire/dos-pueblos-high-school-serving-as-command-center-for-whittier-firefight/583694745
- ^ "Whittier Fire burns 7,800 acres. Continued updates and information". NewsChannel 3. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ Gabbert, Bill. "Whittier fire burns structures and forces evacuations northwest of Goleta, CA". Wildfire Today. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ Molina, Joshua. "Whittier Fire Destroys Rancho Alegre Outdoor School, Boy Scouts Camp Home". Noozhawk. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ Bolton, Tom. "Whittier Fire still 'out of control,' grows to more than 7,800 acres". San Luis Obispo Tribune. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "3,600 People..." Twitter. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ Schlepp, Travis; Flores, Oscar. "Whittier Fire burns 10,823 acres. Continued updates and information". NewsChannel 3. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
- ^ Bolton, Tom. "Flare-up on Northeast Side of Whittier Fire Puts Up Lots of Smoke over Santa Barbara". Noozhawk. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ Hodgson, Mike. "Update: Whittier firefighting resources increased with Sundowner winds expected". Santa Ynez Valley News. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
- ^ Bolton, Tom. "Whittier Fire Puts on Menacing Show as Sundowner Winds Whip Flames". Noozhawk. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
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