Whittier Fire

Whittier Fire
Whittier Fire on July 16, 2017
Date(s)	July 8, 2017 (2017-07-08) - October 5, 2017 (2017-10-05)
Location	Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County, California
Coordinates	34°34′01″N 119°57′11″W / 34.567°N 119.953°W / 34.567; -119.953
Statistics[1]
Burned area	18,430 acres (75 km2)
Impacts
Non-fatal injuries	9
Ignition
Cause	Under investigation
Map
Location in Southern California

The Whittier Fire was a wildfire in the Santa Ynez Mountains, south of Lake Cachuma, along Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County, California in the United States. The was reported on July 8, 2017, at 1:43 pm.^[2] Upon containment on July 28, the fire had burned a total of 18,430 acres (75 km²) and destroyed 16 homes.^[1]

The fire, which was first reported at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, began burning in the Los Padres National Forest in chaparral that hadn't burned in approximately 70 years, according to officials.^[1][3] Reportedly ignited by a vehicle fire, flames jumped Highway 154 and proceed in a southeast direction towards the Santa Ynez Mountains. Eighty people, including mostly children, at Circle V Ranch Camp near Lake Cachuma were forced to shelter in place as when it became too late to evacuate. No campers or staff were injured.^[3] Throughout the course of the day, the fire had expanded from 330 to over 5,400 acres (22 km²) as containment sat at zero-percent.^[4] Firefighters set up a command center at Dos Pueblos High School.^[5]

On the morning of July 9, the fire had burned 7,800 acres and was at 5% containment. Residents along Farren Road inside and west of Goleta were evacuated.^[6] 20 structures were destroyed, and a lot of evacuation was done along Highway 154.^[7]

In the afternoon on July 9, the fire burned down the Rancho Alegre Outdoor School.^[8] The fire remained "completely out of control", and sections of Highway 101 received evacuation warnings.^[9] Later that day, it was reported that over 3,600 people had evacuated as a result of the Whittier Fire. ^[10]

On the morning of July 10, the fire had burned 10,823 acres and was still at 5% containment.^[11]

On the morning of July 12, the fire had burned 11,920 acres and was at 48% containment.^[12]

As of the evening of July 14, the fire was at 52% containment and had burned 13,199 acres. Due to changing weather conditions, the fire spread westward.^[13]

On July 15, containment had dropped to 35% as the fire was pushed down the mountainside toward Goleta due to sundowner winds. It had burned 17,364 acres.^[14]

On July 17, containment was at 49% and the fire had burned 18,311 acres.^[15]

As of September 12, the fire is still not fully contained. It is stuck at 87% containment due to possible hot spots and reports of smoke. ^[16]

The fire was finally contained on October 5th. Infrared survey 3 days prior to containment revealed some lingering heat sources, but they are located inside the containment line so the risk of further spread is minimal. ^[17]

In total, 16 homes and 30 outbuildings were destroyed. One home and six outbuildings were damaged. ^[1]

• 
  Smoke from the fire covers the sky over Goleta on July 8, 2017.
• 
  A helicopter leaving the Whittier Fire, July 11, 2017.
• 
  Smoke cloud seen from Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, July 14, 2017.
• 
  An area the Whittier Fire had burned, July 17, 2017.

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[[Category:July 2017 events in the United States