Los Padres Forest

Zaca Fire patrolled for hot spots

Firefighters continued to patrol for hot spots and to rehabilitate control lines Tuesday on the Zaca Fire, which was declared fully contained Sunday.

There have been no problems reported since the fire was finally surrounded Sunday evening, said Joe Pasinato of the U.S. Forest Service, but the fire won't be extinguished for weeks more.

Rehabilitation of fire control lines is expected to be finished by Friday, officials said.

Control of the fire, or the point at which containment lines can reasonably expect to hold under the foreseeable conditions, is not expected for several more weeks. Firefighters will maintain a 500-foot-wide space inward from the containment lines. In those zones, all residual fire will be extinguished.

Visible smoke will continue to rise from unburned islands within the containment lines until the area receives rain or prolonged periods of higher humidity. Aircraft will help monitor the fire with infrared photography, officials said.

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Santa Maria

Boy, 4, recovering after escalator fall

A 4-year-old boy is recovering after falling about 15 feet from the top of an escalator Tuesday at the Santa Maria Town Center.

The boy, who was hanging on the outside of the escalator and riding it up, fell when the small ledge he was standing on ended near the second floor of the mall, said Dan Orr, fire division chief with the Santa Maria Fire Department.

He was taken to Marian Medical Center where he was treated and released, said a hospital spokeswoman.

The escalator the boy was riding, in the Macy's Court near Sbarro, was expected to be shut down until today, said Patricia Hilliard, mall general manager. Any time there is an accident involving an escalator, a state inspector must be called to check the machine and a report must be filed with the state, she said.

She noted that the incident did not involve any mechanical issues with the escalator.

Hilliard said mall employees acted quickly to administer first aid to the boy.

Santa Maria

Crosswalk approved

The Santa Maria City Council approved a plan Tuesday night to add a crosswalk across Foxenwood Lane to connect the Foxenwood Townhomes to the Foxenwood Estates development.

The recommendation to add the crosswalk came from the city's Traffic Committee at the request of Foxenwood Townhomes developer Mark Smith, according to a staff report.

Along with the painted crosswalk, pedestrian warning signs will be added on Foxenwood Lane.

Santa Maria

Council appoints new committee members

The City Council appointed a pair of residents Tuesday night to two vacant seats on the community's Landmark Committee.

Marjorie Martin and JoAnn Wilson were nominated by Mayor Larry Lavagnino and then confirmed by the council.

Eight applications were received for the positions.

The five-member Landmark Committee advises the council on preservation of the city's history and the designation of historical landmarks.

Santa Maria

Recreation group fundraiser set

Tickets are on sale for Friday evening's Tastes of Mexico, an annual fundraiser for People for Leisure and Youth (P.L.A.Y.), the nonprofit group that supports recreation activities in the city.

The event features, food, drinks and entertainment. Tickets cost $30 and are available at the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department, 615. S. McClelland St.

Participating restaurants include La Chiquita, The Tamale Shop, Las Brasas, VTC Catering and Garibaldi Catering. Mexican beer will be supplied by Pacific Beverage Company, margaritas by Two Guys Bar Catering, and soft drinks by Coca Cola, officials said.

For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at 925-0951, Ext. 353.

Nipomo

Drying dune lakes causing foul odors

Decaying organic matter in the drying dune lakes in Nipomo, Oceano and Arroyo Grande is the source of foul odors being experienced throughout the South County, according to the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District.

The APCD and Environmental Health Division inspectors identified the dune lakes as the source of the strong sulfuric and other foul odors resulting from recent hot, humid weather.

Although no health advisory was needed, sensitivity to the odors is possible, officials said, adding that Environmental Health Division inspectors will continue to monitor the South County dune lakes for mosquito development.

Santa Maria

Titanium BMWs set for test drives today

Nineteen titanium BMWS will be available for test drives today at BMW of Santa Maria for the 11th Annual BMW Ultimate Drive supporting breast cancer research, education, screening and community outreach programs through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure program.

The public is invited to test drive the cars for free, which are specially decorated with pink modernist maps, according to BMW Ultimate Drive officials.

For every mile driven, $1 will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at BMW of Santa Maria, 2150 South College drive.

The program will travel to 237 BMW centers nationwide from March through October; it has a goal of raising $1 million with one million miles.

San Luis Obispo County

Smoke will remain a health hazard

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District on Tuesday reminded residents to take precautions to avoid health impacts from smoke from the Zaca Fire and another fire in the Gaviota area.

Hot and humid weather is causing the smoke to affect air quality throughout San Luis Obispo County, said Larry Allen, county pollution control officer.

Smoke and ash is expected intermittently in the county's air for days to come, Allen said.

When smoke is obvious in the air, health officials recommend that people avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible.

If a person experiences a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, exhaustion, light-headedness or chest pain, he or she should cease outdoor activity and seek medical attention.

More information can be obtained by calling the Zaca Fire Information Center at 961-5770 or online at cdfdata.fire.ca.gov

/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=190.

- From staff reports