The Zaca Lake lodge — a longtime popular filming location for commercials, TV shows, and movies, including the 1980 horror flick Friday the 13th — was destroyed Wednesday evening by a fire that spread another five acres to nearby vegetation before it was contained. The cause remains under investigation.
Santa Barbara County Fire spokesperson Mike Eliason said the fire began 5:40 p.m. at the lodge, which is part of the Zaca Lake Retreat, a 20-cabin rental property on the edge of the lake in Santa Ynez Valley. County Fire and the U.S. Forest Service dispatched eight engine companies, two helicopters, and two aircraft to fight the blaze. Eliason said they quickly established a line around the fire and remained on scene through the rest of the night. No injuries were reported.