UPDATE: Crews battle Pozo Fire

August 21, 2010

7 a.m. – The Pozo Fire is 62 percent contained.

Because of deer season, several campgrounds had to be evacuated including Queen Bee, Turkey Flat, Friis, Navajo, La Panza and Navajo Flat.

Current road closures include Navajo Road at Turkey Flat, Pozo Road at forest boundary, Red Hill Road at Navajo Staging and Navajo Road at Port Hill.

6 p.m. – The Pozo Fire has consumed 1,500 acres and is 20 percent contained. Approximately 1,018 fire personnel are currently assigned to the blaze. Full containment is expected by Tuesday.

7 a.m. – U.S. Forest Service officials have taken over command of the Pozo Fire fighting efforts. Officials now report the aggressive fire has burned 1,263 acres and is 5 percent contained.

Winds carrying embers downwind from the fire are hampering fire fighters, currently numbering 355, from extinguishing the blaze.

Because of deer season, several campgrounds had to be evacuated including Turkey Flat, Friis, Navajo, La Panza and Navajo Flat.

Current road closures include Navajo Road at Turkey Flat, Pozo Road at Avanales Ranch Road, Navajo Road west of Navajo Flat near the highway vehicle area and Navajo Road at Redhill Road west of La Panza.

10 p.m. – The Pozo Fire has burned 1,500 acres and is 5 percent contained. It is burning on La Panza Ridge near the Pozo Summit and moving onto federal land.

Several campgrounds threatened by the fire have been evacuated including Turkey Flat, Friis, Navajo, La Panza and Navajo Flat.

Road closures include Navajo Road at Pozo Road, Navajo Flats Road near the Campground area and Pozo Road at Red Hill.

Over 450 firefighters and staff from five crews are working to extinguish the fire. Ground and air crews are currently using two air attack planes, six air tankers, three helicopters, three dozers, three water tenders and 19 fire engines to battle the blaze.

A Type II Federal Command Team is slated to arrive late Saturday night and take over command of the fire in the morning.

People are asked to stay out of the area and not to interfere with firefighting staff.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is under investigation at this time.

8 p.m. – Firefighters have 10 percent containment of the Pozo Fire which has burned 1,500 acres.

5 p.m. – The Pozo Fire has burned 1,500 acres with zero percent containment. Fire crews continue to fight the blaze by air and ground.

3:45 p.m. – The Pozo Fire has burned more than 350 acres of brush and is moving into the Los Padres National Forest area, according to CAL FIRE.

Crews from CAL FIRE, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, ASH and Los Padres National Forest are battling the fire which started near East Pozo Road and Avenales Road at around 12:31 p.m.