Published Saturday, October 8, 2022, 1745 hours PT
The HOWARD FIRE is located about 1.7 miles east of Piedra Blanca Trailhead and on the south side of Sespe Creek and approximately northeast of Wheeler Springs in the La Padres National Forest in Ventura County, California.
The fire started this afternoon from an unknown cause.
Due to the remote location, air resources have been dropping over the fire line.
The original resources were dispatched through the Los Padres Communication Center at 1542 hours PT including the following: CH1 SJF CRW4LPF CRW7LPF DIV7LPF DOZ3LPF DOZ4LPF E373LPF4X4 E374LPF E375LPF E51LPF HEL528LPF HEL530LPF HT-8CH PAT18LPF Q WT23LPF WT5LPF.
Some of the air assets on the scene are air tankers 105, and 131 with additional assistance from four copters who are also tasked with dropping. Tankers 76 and 911 are on order and are currently en route to the fire scene. OES Intel 24 is still providing map readings of the fire size.
A request for five Type 1 crew is on order. Due to the area where the fire is burning, they are unable to have engines or any other vehicles in the area.
The Incident Commander is SJ CH 1 Bustamante effective October 8, 2022, at 1720 hours PT.
Reports of four hikers being airlifted from the area by Copter 4, with the possibility of others needing the same.
The fire has burned 75 acres of brush with a 0% containment status. There is a possible size that it may explode up to 1,000 acres in size.
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