Whittier Fire adds another 4,000 acres Friday

Strong winds are predicted again for Saturday evening.

Above: Whittier Fire as seen from Santa Ynez Peak, at 5:47 p.m. July 14, 2017.

(Published at 5:30 a.m. PDT July 15, 2017)

The Whittier Fire was very active on the south and southwest sides Friday and Friday night, adding another 4,000 acres to bring the total burned area up to 17,364 acres. Between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. the winds increased, blowing at 6 to 15 mph in San Marcos Pass with gusts up to 31 mph. The direction was variable but the strongest speeds were measured out of the southwest and northwest.

The weather conditions should moderate during the day on Saturday with higher humidities but after 6 p.m the forecast predicts lower humidities and strong winds out of the northwest until 11 p.m.

map whittier fire
Map of the Whittier Fire at 11:20 p.m. PDT July 14, 2017. The red shaded areas were the most active at that time. The white line was the perimeter about 24 hours before. Click to enlarge

Evacuations are in effect for several areas. Residents can receive alerts on their mobile phones by texting their ZIP CODE to 888777, or call the fire information line at 805-699-6451.

Highway 154 is closed from Highway 246 to Foothill Road (Highway 192).

Resources assigned to the fire include 38 hand crews, 103 fire engines, 22 water tenders, 3 masticators, 6 fixed wing aircraft, 14 helicopters, and 18 bulldozers, for a total of 1,612 personnel.

Whittier Fire
Whittier Fire as seen from Santa Ynez Peak, looking west at 4:07 a.m. July 15, 2017.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

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