Rey Fire Incident Update

REY FIRE UPDATE

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – Dramatic plumes of smoke are visible along the Santa Barbara coast, and ash is falling in northern county areas as the Rey Fire enters its fifth day.  Current information can be found at www.countyofsb.org.  With an Air Quality Watch in place throughout the county, residents are encouraged to limit their exposure to smoke and can check hourly air quality readings taken at various locations, found on https://www.ourair.org/todays-air-quality/.

The fire continues to spread to the Northeast and East toward the Dick Smith Wilderness, Mono Creek, and Zaca Fire burn scars. The historic United States Forest Service Santa Cruz Guard Station, Doty Cabin, and Ogilvy Ranch are under direct threat. Peachtree and Little Pine Campgrounds remain impacted.

FACTS

• On Thursday, August 18, 2016, the fire started at approximately 3:15 p.m. and prompted an evacuation of the Los Prietos Boys Camp, Paradise Road including residences, and Highway 154. Highway 154 reopened later that day but Paradise Road remains closed.
• While the County Emergency Operations Center is not activated for the Rey Fire, county staff is assisting Unified Command with the response.
• As of August 22, the wind-driven fire has consumed approximately 27,096 acres. The fire has been contained on its south and western flanks and continues advancing to the East.
• The fire is presently at 30% containment and no structures are threatened at this time.
• 1,390 personnel from throughout California are on the firelines fighting the Rey Fire. The US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, Santa Barbara County Fire, Santa Barbara County Sheriff, and the California Highway Patrol are in Unified Command. Local fire engines and personnel from operational area fire departments are fighting the fire as well as units from surrounding counties.

 ROAD CLOSURES

Paradise Road remains closed. Road closures have extended to East Camino Cielo between Highway 154 and Gibraltar Road, and Gibraltar Road between East Camino Cielo and the Santa Barbara city limits.

EVACUATION: MANDATORY AND WARNINGS

Paradise Road residents remain under a mandatory evacuation.

 SHELTERS

No shelters are active at this time.

ANIMALS

No animals are being sheltered at this time.

 RESIDENTS

Paradise Road residents may be permitted to move back home Wednesday at the earliest. Paradise Road residents may access their homes in 15-minute increments for vital information, medicines, or pets. Residents can monitor the status of the fire, and heed any guidance made available on the County of Santa Barbara website at www.countyofsb.org. Residents may contact the public information center by dialing 211.

MEDIA ONLY

Communications and Media Support                  (805)364-2738

Hashtag#ReyFire

County of Santa Barbara, Fire, Sheriff, Office of Emergency Management and Public Health have posted information on their social media including Twitter, Facebook and Nixle.