Zaca Fire Spreads To Become Third Largest In Calif. History

A weekend growth spurt in the 200,000-acre blaze, the third largest ever in California, led authorities to recommend residents of rural ranches off Highway 33 to prepare to leave.

Over the weekend California Highway Patrol officers closed state Route 33 north of Ojai to all traffic due to firefighting operations for the Zaca Fire.

The fire continues to burn closer to Los Angeles County, but fire officials voiced optimism that increased use of backfires is robbing the stubborn blaze of forward momentum.