Santa Barbara ‘Lake Fire’ Acres Burned Still Growing, But Containment Rising

The Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County has grown to 37,742 acres, but its containment has now risen to 20%.

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The fire, the largest in the state this year, has more than 3,400 personnel working around the clock to extinguish the blaze.

Capt. Scott Safechuck, spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, said there has been a “visible difference” on the south side of the fire.

Controlled burns of dry vegetation and a water-dropping helicopter are helping the battle on the south side.

“That is really good for community safety, because that’s where a lot of the structures were threatened,” he said. “We are making a huge improvement in that area.”

More than two dozen helicopters were deployed Friday, Safechuck said.

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“We have huge aerial support here which is instrumental working with ground resources to combat this fire,” he said.

The fire started July 5. No cause has been established.

Evacuation orders are still being issued for certain areas under threat.

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