MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - 16 July 2008

GAP FIRE SUMMARY
Santa Barbara Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest
Fire Information Phone Line: (805) 961-5770 (8:00am to 8:00pm)

USFS InciWeb HERE

Gap Fire Closure Reduced, Effective July 19

The Forest Service will lift a portion of the emergency closure associated with the Gap Fire, effective Saturday, July 19. The area to be reopened is national forest land south of East Camino Cielo between Highway 154 and Gibraltar Road. The area that will remain closed until further notice includes all national forest lands west of Highway 154 to Refugio Road.

The closure prohibits all public entry to national forest lands, trails, roads and recreation sites within the designated area. It does not apply to private land within or adjacent to the national forest.

For more information and current conditions, contact the Los Prietos Ranger Station at (805)967-3481. For the current status of the Gap Fire, visit www.inciweb.org.

Additional Fire Restrictions in Los Padres National Forest

In response to increasing fire danger, Forest Service officials today announced that they will impose additional fire restrictions in Los Padres National Forest starting Friday, July 18. The following restrictions will remain in effect until the end of the high fire season:

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest, including developed campgrounds and designated Campfire Use Sites.

Portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, are allowed in all areas of Los Padres National Forest; however, a California Campfire Permit is required to use a stove outside of developed campgrounds and designated Campfire Use Sites. Campfire Permits are available free-of-charge at any Forest Service office. In developed recreation sites position portable stoves and lanterns in cleared areas near tables and permanently installed stoves. In dispersed areas, clear all flammable material for a distance of five feet in all directions from the stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except the Winchester Gun Club in Santa Barbara County and the Ojai Valley Gun Club in Ventura County. Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license is exempt from this restriction.

Smoking is prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.

Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or trails that are designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.) Make sure that your engine is operating properly and you have an approved spark arrester.

The public is reminded that there are currently two fire-related emergency closures in Los Padres National Forest encompassing the entire Monterey Ranger District, and a portion of the Santa Barbara Ranger District in the vicinity of the Gap Fire. For further information regarding current conditions, emergency closures, permit requirements, and safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website.

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Work Continues on Route 154 Improvements
at Paradise Road and Vista Point

During the week of July 21st, construction on Route 154 Improvements will continue
at Paradise Road and at Vista Point west of Cold Spring Canyon Bridge. New turn
lanes are being installed at both locations.

Between Monday and Thursday there will be lane closures with reversing traffic control
between 8:30am and 4pm. On Friday, there will be lane closures with reversing traffic
control between 8:30am and 2pm.

Motorists should expect delays of approximately 30 minutes and are encouraged to
use Highway 101 unless traveling to a destination along Route 154.
At Paradise Road and Vista Point, there will also be intermittent lane closures
with reversing traffic control between 9pm and 6am on Tuesday night (July 22, 2008)
and Thursday night (July 24, 2008) as crews will install concrete k-rail, a safety
barrier.

As an added safety feature, a bicycle detour route is being implemented so that
cyclists can avoid the construction area. The recommended detour route uses Stagecoach Road and enables cyclists to get off Route 154 at Stagecoach Road north and south of the work areas.This will provide a safer route for the bicyclists, since construction will limit the roadway shoulders within the work area," said Fred Luna, project manager at the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG).
The Route 154 Improvements occur in four main areas:

Improved turnout area on Route 154 (eastbound)
Turning lanes on Route 154 into Vista Point
Turning lanes on Route 154 at Paradise Road

Westbound passing lane just east of Route 246 and turning lanes at Route 154/Route
246 intersectionAs construction progresses on this project, Route 154 will remain
open with temporary lane closures as needed; flagmen will direct traffic through
the work zones during temporary lane closures. Some nighttime lane closures will
occur to move concrete barriers for project staging and to work on drainage improvements.

Construction runs through summer 2009 and will not occur on weekends or holidays.
SBCAG will also be assisted by CHP patrols to help monitor safety through the construction
zones. Vista Point will be closed during construction.

SBCAG is funding the project entirely with Measure D, Santa Barbara County's half-cent
transportation sales tax. Since 1989, SBCAG has invested nearly $26 million in Measure
D funds to construct safety and operational improvements on Route 154. This included
new interchanges with Highway 101 at the north and south junctions and a first phase
of operational and safety improvements using Measure D funds in 1997. Throughout construction, updates will be available on 1-888-SB-ROADS (1-888-727-6237).

 

CURRENT FIRE INFORMATION LINKS

CALFIRE
USFS
Santa Barbara County Fire
NICC Incident Management Situation Report

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AUTOMATED ROAD CONDITIONS

CALTRANS HIGHWAY STATUS LINK
or call 800-427-7623

CHP Traffic Incidents

CALTRANS VIDEO LINKS

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ROADS
Current road information link