Wildfire under control, cleanup work begins

9 May 2004

Hildy Medina

HAPPY CANYON The Cachuma Fire was fully contained by 6 p.m. Saturday, but as a precaution fire crews will stick around for several days to ensure there are no potential hot spots in the area, Forest Service, officials said.

The blaze so far has cost $2.8 million to fight and blackened 1,127 acres since it started on Monday. Two firefighters received minor injuries during that time.

"It's in the mop-up stages now," said Joe Pasinato, a Forest Service spokesman.

More than 500 firefighters spent most of Saturday securing the perimeter around the blaze, located 14 miles northeast of Santa Ynez and 22 wiles northwest of Santa Barbara.

Ground crews will spend the next few days turning over smoldering logs, stumps and other vegetation that might potentially ignite another fire. Hot and dry winds are expected today in and around the San Rafael Wilderness area.

San Rafael Wilderness and areas near the fire remain closed. Figueroa Mountain Road east of Ranger Peak and Sunset Valley and Happy Canyon Roads remain closed to everyone except residents.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.