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).

Rey Fire
Smoke from the Rey Fire rises into the sky on Thursday, August 18, 2016.
Date(s)
  • August 19, 2016 (2016-08-19)
  • September 16, 2016 (2016-09-16)
LocationSanta Barbara County, California
Coordinates34°32′46″N 119°48′18″W / 34.546°N 119.805°W / 34.546; -119.805
Statistics[1]
Burned area32,606 acres (132 km2)
Impacts
Non-fatal injuries2[2]
Map
Rey Fire is located in southern California
Rey Fire
Location in Southern California

The fire

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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]

See also

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References

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