Rucker Fire at 90% Containment

Update by Edhat Staff
10:08 a.m., October 2, 2017

The Rucker Fire acreage is at 444 acres and 90% containment. Winds today push the projected 6 pm 100% containment expectation back 24 hours.

Update by Edhat Staff
1:08 p.m., September 30, 2017

A Rucker Fire Investigator is analyzing the area on Harris Grade Rd. If you saw any suspicious vehicles at 2 p.m. Friday, call Tipline at 805-686-5077 or e-mail FireInfo@SBCFire.com.

All Rucker Fire Evacuation Orders and Warnings have been lifted. The Rucker Fire acreage went down to 441 due to better mapping and physically walking the perimeter overnight. Containment grew to 60% due to favorable weather conditions overnight with high humidity, fog and low temperatures. 150 homes are still threatened due to active fire still burning within the containment areas. Fire personnel assigned to the incident rose to 519, but expected to reduce staffing tonight. Air resources today are 4 helicopters, 2 fixed wing tankers, 1 air attack, and 1 lead plane. 

Cultural resources were protected/saved by firefighters during the fire in the area near the La Purisima Mission. Weather forecast for today calls for early morning fog/low clouds with high humidity, with a max temperature of low 70’s. Winds NW at eye level 6-9 mph/gusting to 12 mph. 20 foot winds, NW 12-18 mph/gusting to 25 mph. 

Road Closures:

• La Purisima from Rucker Road to Mission Gate
• Harris Grade at Burton Mesa and Highway 135
• Rucker Road at Calle Pasado (all residents of Calle Neto and Rucker can park on Via Orilla and walk in) 

Residents of Mission Hills should enter through Burton Mesa to Via Lato (No access N on Via Lato). Evacuated residents need to use Burton Mesa Road to re-enter An Air Quality Watch is in effect (español). The smoke from the Rucker Fire may affect portions of Santa Barbara County.

Update by Edhat Staff
10:48 a.m., September 30, 2017

Mike Eliason of Santa Barbara County Fire reports the Rucker Fire has burned through 440 acres and is currently at 40% containment. 150 homes are still threatened, though evacuations have been lifted for residents, but road closures are in effect at Cebada Canyon Rd and Mission Hills. Mesa Oaks is still under warning.

There are approximately 519 firefighters on scene, 16 aircrafts, and 5 helicopters. The cause of the fire is still unknown. 

(Photo by Mike Eliason, SBCFD)

Update by Santa Barbara County Sheriff
10:34 p.m., September 29, 2017

We are pleased to report that all of the residents who were evacuated due to the Rucker Fire are allowed to go back to their homes. Due to heavy equipment blocking the roadway, residents along Rucker Road between Calle Posado and Calle Lindero and Calle Neto are being asked to park their vehicles outside the area. 

Thanks to everyone who cooperated with evacuation instructions today. We will keep you posted if there are any other updates.

For full details, view this message on the web.

Update by Santa Barbara County Sheriff
5:41 p.m., September 29, 2017

Evacuation ORDER:
Mandatory Evacuation Order issued for the area north of La Purisima Rd. through Cebada Canyon Rd., east of Harris Grade Rd. This area includes Cebada Canyon and Mission Hills. 

Evacuation WARNING:
Mesa Oaks are under WARNING that they may need to evacuate. However, if you feel you are in danger or need extra time to evacuate if needed, DO NOT wait for Evacuation Order.

Evacuation Shelter/Animal Evacuations:
A Red Cross Shelter is open at Lompoc High School, 515 W. College Av., in the gymnasium. ONLY service animals allowed. For assistance with animal evacuations, call the County Animal Services helpline at (805) 681-4332

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers are working to make sure everyone is safely evacuated. 

Santa Barbara County Air Support copter 308 and copter 4 are actively working the fire. 

Instructions:

Leave immediately if you are in the evacuation area.

Update by Santa Barbara County Sheriff
3:23 p.m., September 29, 2017

An evacuation order has been issued due to several fires in the Lompoc area. The evacuation area is Rucker Road east to Harris Grade and north to La Purisma and Cebada Canyon including all of North Mission Hills and La Purisma Mission. If you are not in the evacuation area but feel you are in danger, do not wait for an evacuation order to leave. Updates will be sent when available.

The evacuation notice was sent to approximately 890 phone lines. 

Vandenberg Middle School students who live in the Mesa Oaks, Mission Hills, HIghlands and Bluffs neighborhoods were not able to ride the bus home and should be picked up at the school’s multi-purpose room. 

Instructions:

If you are in the Evacuation Area, Leave Immediately.

For full details, view this message on the web.

By Roger the Scanner Guy

2200 Block of Purisima Road highway 246…..There are other Fires in Lompoc and evacuations going on..