Natural History Wanderings

from USDA  Forest Service

The Madre Fire was reported shortly after 1 pm on Wednesday, July 2, burning along Highway 166 east of Rockfront Ranch in the Cuyama Valley. The fire quickly spread onto Los Padres’ Santa Lucia Ranger District and burned 30,000 acres within the first 24 hours. Pushed by a strong onshore breeze, the fire then burned east onto the Bureau of Land Management’s Carrizo Plain National Monument and grew to more than 50,000 acres by July 4. The fire is in Unified Command with Los Padres National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management and Cal Fire San Luis Obispo Unit. Incident Management Team 8 (IC  Page) assumed command of the fire July 5.

The fire has currently burned 80,603 acres and is 35 percent contained. During the first three days of the fire, the Santa Maria Air Tanker Base serviced as many as 11 air tankers which delivered more than 500,000 gallons of retardant to help slow the spread of the fire.

The Carrizo Plain National Monument has been closed to public entry for firefighter and public safety. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Source: Los Padres National Forest | Madre Fire | Forest Service