Edhat Staff
(Photo: View of the Dozer Line from the Gun Club / CIIMT3)
Source: Los Padres National Forest
While firefighters continue suppression and repair efforts on the Thomas Fire within the Central Coast’s Los Padres, National Forest, officials declared another fire on the forest “out” almost six months after its ignition. Santa Barbara District Ranger Pancho Smith declared the Whittier Fire out at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
The Whittier Fire began July 8 near the Lake Cachuma Recreation Area and burned 18,430 acres across northwest Santa Barbara County, mostly on National Forest System lands.
“While the fire was considered contained and controlled back in August, there was a portion of the fire — west of Condor Point — that was inaccessible to suppression tactics because of steep and rocky terrain,” Smith said. “We’ve continually monitored the area using infrared aircraft to track hot spots or any fire activity that could be a concern. Our last flight report yesterday showed zero heat signatures within the fire perimeter, so we’re confident in declaring the Whittier Fire out.”
U.S. Forest Service employees and cooperators continue work on the Thomas Fire, which at 281,893 acres has become the largest wildfire in California’s modern recorded history. The fire began Dec. 4 and is 92 percent contained.
