The Associated Press
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Firefighters finally controlled the 4-month-old Zaca wildfire, which started on the Fourth of July and blackened 240,207 acres on a march through Santa Barbara County backcountry.
Los Padres National Forest chief Anthony Escobar declared the blaze controlled last night. It was surrounded, or contained, on Sept. 2.
The Zaca fire, the second largest California wildfire in recorded history, briefly threatened ranches and vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley.
It cost $143 million to extinguish.
The fire zone will remain closed, probably into next year, during forest rehabilitation operations, including road and trail work.
Criminal charges were filed against a Bell Canyon ranch and two employees who allegedly started the blaze with grinding equipment.