San Diego Firefighters Deployed to Battle Santa Barbara County Wildfire Near Neverland Ranch

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department dispatched resources Monday to help control a wildfire that broke out July 5 north of Los Olivos near Zaca Lake amid scorching temperatures during a historic heat wave.

The Lake Fire has consumed more than 20,320 acres of grass, brush and timber, triggering evacuation orders and coming within one mile of Neverland Ranch, the late pop star Michael Jackson’s estate, officials said.

The fire was 8% contained as of Monday evening. However, Cal Fire officials anticipated it would spread due to a heat wave that had reduced moisture in the area and brought gusty winds, leading to a red flag warning.

Local crews will be part of a firefighting strike team on the front lines and filling support roles such as GIS mapping, field observers and safety officers, SDFD officials said.