VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- As of 7:30 a.m., the Canyon Fire has burned 10,542 acres. The fire is now 18 percent contained and 633 firefighters from Vandenberg AFB, U.S. Forestry, Cal Fire, and Santa Barbara County Fire are combatting the blaze.
The fire was very active yesterday, growing by approximately 6,000 acres. Most of the growth was to the west and the north. However, fire teams made strong progress along the south and east portions of the fire.
Despite the progress made yesterday, the fire remains significant and unpredictable. For safety reasons and to prevent any interference with the fire response, South Base access continues to be limited to emergency personnel only.
30th Security Forces have established road blocks along West Ocean Avenue to minimize traffic congestion and to facilitate fire response forces entering and leaving South Base. Base officials are asking personnel to remain clear of West Ocean Avenue between Vandenberg’s North and South base.
Today fire crews will continue to build direct and indirect containment lines. Direct lines are constructed along the active fire perimeter when fire intensity is low. Indirect lines are constructed ahead of the active fire perimeter. Fire managers are utilizing crews with hand tools and bulldozers to construct containment lines on the base property.
A team of Resource Advisors are supporting the fire response by locating and identify natural and cultural resources threatened by the fire. Some of these resources include cultural sites related to the Chumash people, wildlife habitats, and watershed concerns.
More information to follow as the situation develops, and the current situation is subject to change.