Lightening sparks several fires - KSBY San Luis Obispo News
Crews had their hands full Saturday, working to contain several small wildfires, after thousands of lightening strikes.
Two fires started around 6:30 a.m. Saturday. One was on the 7600 block of figueroa Mountain Road, the other was nearby on the 9000 block of that same streach, in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Fire crews said nearly three thousand lightening strikes are to blame for the fires.
"I saw those strikes," said Jim Doolittle, who was staying in a cabin near Figueroa Mountain Road when the storm hit early Saturday morning. "We were looking for smoke and fire."
Moments later, Doolittle saw a puff of smoke, then flames. He called 911 and told fire crews to head toward Tunnel Road.
Firefighters from Santa Barbara County and the U.S. Forest Service went to work, mapping out their plan of attack.
They first contained the "Tunnel Fire" at two acres, then sent engines, bulldozers and handcrews to the "Goat Fire," which had spread to 35 acres.
"In addition to the numerous engines and helicopters from both agencies, we ordered some air resources, including fixed-wing aircraft to attack. We made numerous drops," said Richard Todd, of Santa Barbara County Fire.
A light smoke still hangs in the air, as smoldering embers creep up steep terrain.
While the fires are considered contained, hand crews stayed to ensure hot-spots didn't flare up.
"It's going to be some tough work," said Todd.
By the afternoon, two more fires had sparked way out in the wilderness-- out of reach for engines and hand crews. They sent air tankers from Paso Robles to drop fire retardant.
Investigators say no homes were threatenend.
12 Sep, 2011--
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