20,000-acre fire forces evacuations near Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch

A 20,000-acre wildfire in Santa Barbara County north of Los Olivos near Zaca Lake has prompted evacuations near Neverland Ranch, Michael Jackson’s old home.

This wildfire has been given the name Lake Fire. The blaze was first reported at 3:45 p.m. on July 5 and is at 8% containment as of Monday, according to Los Padres National Forest .

More than 750 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department are assigned to the blaze. The firefighters are being supported by 10 air tankers and three Type 1 helicopters, according to park officials.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for people from Figueroa Mountain Rd. at Junction Camp – including Tunnel Rd. – to Chamberlin Ranch. Evacuation orders were also issued for areas from Zaca Lake Rd. at Foxen Canyon Rd., north to Sisquoc River.

The Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation warnings for people north of Calzada Ave., east of E. Oak Trail Rd, west of Happy Canyon, and south of Sisquoc River.

Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.

One structure has been damaged and one injury has been reported.

Residents impacted by evacuation orders and need shelter can call (805) 678-3073. People who need help with animal evacuations can call (805) 698-0212. Those impacted by evacuation orders and warnings looking for more information about the fire and other resources can call the Santa Barbara County Call Center at (833) 688-5551. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok