SUNDAY UPDATE: It looks as if this one (Soda Fire) is under control as some resources are being sent home this morning. I also have been following the Figueroa Fire in the LPNF, Santa Barbara area, and while a bit bigger than the Soda Fire, it too is heading toward containment. “6 AM report 692 acres 30% containment. temp today 95 with low humidity.” Fire Camp for the Figueroa Fire is at the Rodeo Grounds in Santa Maria.
7:00 pm – containment listed at 10% at 6 pm on the incident page. Our guys from PV Station were sent over on this one, also.
6:00 pm – fire at 500 acres with no containment. IC tried to order up T 74 and T 75 which just returned from down south to base at Paso, but resource declined. Probably turn around time. Two more strike teams ordered for engines and 2 more strike team hand crews.
Fire started about an hour ago (3 pm) out on 58 originally reported to be near Santa Margarita Lake, but changed to Soda Lake Rd. A reader who has been watching the fire places it near California Valley. It is already up to 200 acres. Lots of resources, tankers, two strike teams, air attack, dozers, and all. Started as a structure fire and spread to the grass. I am keeping an eye on it. Can’t see smoke from here, at this point, but might be able to see it from the top of my property.It is on both sides of highway 58, and within a mile of a 500KW transmission line, heading into the Temblor Mountain Range.
It’s actually not anywhere near Santa Margarita Lake, but along the northern edge of the California Valley, where it is heading into the Temblor Range. I’ve been watching from my porch all afternoon and now into the night, as firefighters have been fighting it from land and sky. The westerly winds this afternoon fanned it and it quickly spread East, but now at 8:20 p.m. the winds have died down. I am watching the red-orange glow of the flames shape-shift in the mountains, hoping the wind doesn’t come from the NE and blow all that smoke into my open windows before my house can cool off after a 105 degree day! Bless all you firefighters!
Thanks, Kate. Important to know. And seconds on Lindi Doud’s firefighter bless, to which I add: Keep Big Sur safe from harm.
Thanks for the info. I’d seen the air resources headed out that way, but had no idea where they were headed.