Rey Fire

2016 wildfire in Southern California

Location in Southern California

The Rey Fire was a wildfire that burned in the area southeast of Lake Cachuma in the range above the Santa Ynez River, Santa Barbara County, California, in 2016.^[1] By the time the fire was contained, it had burned 32,606 acres (131.95 km²).

The fire

The fire was first reported at 3:15 pm on Thursday August 18, 2016, and by Saturday morning had grown to over 13,224 acres (53.52 km²),^[1]^[3] nearly quadrupling in size over night. About 300 people were evacuated from their campsites and residences, and on Friday officials let up to 5 groups at a time retrieve personal belongings from their campsites.^[4] As of Monday morning, about 1200 firefighters were working on containing the blaze, as well as 11 aircraft.^[5] As of Monday morning, the fire has exploded to 23,546 acres and has increased back to 20% containment in 4 days and 14 hours, since it started.^[5]

The National Weather Service reported on Saturday that the fire had produced a pyrocloud. This mass of hot air resembles a thunderstorm cloud that can collapse when the air cools down. The wind can manifest as strong gusts at the surface which can exacerbate the fire.^[6]

On Sunday night, August 28, the fire had charred 33,006 acres and was 54% contained, with very little, if not no growth overnight.^[7]

The acreage of the fire was decreased from 33,006 to 32,606 acres (131.95 km²) and was at 96% containment on September 1.^[8]

On September 16, the fire was fully contained, having burned 32,606 acres (131.95 km²)^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Rey Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
^ "1,000 acres burned in Santa Barbara County 'Rey Fire'". KSBY 6. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
^ Martinez, Christian (August 19, 2016). "Crews continue to fight 10,000-acre Santa Barbara County wildfire". Ventura County Star. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
^ "Rey Fire Quadruples in Size Overnight". Santa Barbara Independent. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
^ ^a ^b "Rey Fire burns 23,546 acres, 20% Contained". KSBY. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
^ Diskin, Megan. "Rey Fire mushrooms in size as Chimney blaze threatens Hearst Castle". Ventura County Star. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
^ "Wildfire Update: New Fires Burning Despite Milder Weather". Capital Public Radio. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
^ Martinez, Christian. "Santa Barbara County's Rey Fire nearly contained". Retrieved 2 September 2016.
^ "Rey Fire 100% Contained". 16 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.