Everyone OK in Santa Barbara?

[Zeke]

Dan, Mikey, Ingo?

[Joe Bob]

Ingo is in the PI. Dan and I be cool. Thanks for asking.....

[widebody911]

Had to look it up

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wildfires/2009-05-07-santa-barbara-wildfire_N.htm

[Joe Bob]

Track meet from yesterday......Condor League Finals, Cate school in the SB Foothils....

[911Freak]

We're headed to the Four Seasons Hotel in SB this weekend...

Should I be concerned?

The Hotel's concierge says "everything is fine, no worries" but what would I expect him to say

What do you local guys recommend?

[Joe Bob]

Well, it's pretty smokey....

[DByers]

This was taken with a camera phone two rooftops from my office yesterday afternoon. We are outside the immediate evac area but smoke and ash is very heavy. The Four Season is less then a mile from my office and right on the beach. Depending on the wind it could be clear and fantastic our covered in ash.

Thanks for checking in Milt.

[911Freak]

Originally Posted by DByers

This was taken with a camera phone two rooftops from my office yesterday afternoon. We are outside the immediate evac area but smoke and ash is very heavy. The Four Season is less then a mile from my office and right on the beach. Depending on the wind it could be clear and fantastic our covered in ash.

Thanks for checking in Milt.

Yikes!

Thanks for that, we'll still head up as for now but keep our eye on it

[Porsche-O-Phile]

They're now saying it was arson (surprise, surprise...)

Crazy. Hope everyone on here gets through this one okay.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews;_ylt=Akeukw03kgWKrv7I2UR6935H2ocA;_ylu=X3oDM TE0c3RrNGNmBHBvcwM4BHNlYwN5bl92aWRlb3MEc2xrA2Fyc29 uc3VzcGVjdA--?ch=4226713&cl=13354660&lang=en

[ckissick]

Did the fire get down to the Botanical Gardens?

[DByers]

Charlie,
At this time the Botanical Gardens are safe. They have several teams in that area and have very good defensable space. Something they have worked hard on over the last couple of years, especially after last Novembers Tea Fire. The winds are now starting to shift again to an offshore and by later this afternoon they are expecting sundowners that could drive the fire east - south/east.

The reports of arson are premature at this time. Investigators are not releasing that information but statements by some have been less then accurate and the media is happy to run with them. I am not saying the investigation will find this was not arson, just that they are not in a position to call it that way at this time.

We are preparing for another long night.

[DByers]

As of 2pm press release,

* 1,300 acres burned
• 0% contained
• Multiple homes have been damaged or destroyed
• 4,715 homes evacuated (mandatory evacuation orders); affects approx. 12,000 people
• 5,200 homes under evacuation warning; approx. 12,000 people affected
• 1400 personnel on scene: 20 strike teams; 2 type 1 hand crews; 2 type 2 crews
• Twenty strike teams from other jurisdictions have responded
• 8 fixed wing aircraft and 6 helicopters
• 10 firefighter injuries: 3 burn, 7 minor injuries
• Cause under investigation: Tip line – 805-686-5074
• Air quality warning remains in effect
• Limited and difficult access
• No destroyed/damaged home count available because focus is on life safety

[911Freak]

Anyone have a link to the Calfire website (or?) that shows current fire status in SB?

[Zeke]

la times . com has a fairly good map and it was up dated a couple of hours ago.

[DByers]

This site has the most up to date info with out calling some one at CC. It is now 100 deg @ the airport with the winds increasing for the fire area.

http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/Resident/Safety/PIO/Press_Releases.htm

[Porsche-O-Phile]

TAF for SBA airport is calling for pretty good winds (40 knots) for the next few hours. Ouch.

[nostatic]

It is calm in west LA right now. Big change from last night when it was 100F at 6pm with 40mph winds. Dropped to a chilly 85 degrees late last night.

Hope the weather changes soon in SB.

[DByers]

Latest info from this morning

http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/dept0.aspx

Fire Status
• 2,739 acres burned
• 10% contained
• Damage assessment in progress
initial estimate of 75 homes damaged or destroyed
• 4,715 homes evacuated (mandatory evacuation orders);
affects approx. 12,000 people
• 5,200 homes under evacuation warning;
approx. 12,000 people affected
• Residences threatened - 3500;
commercial properties threatened - 100
• 2,303 personnel on scene: 246 Engines, 62 crews
• 10 fixed wing aircraft and 15 helicopters
• 11 firefighter injuries
• Cause under investigation: Tip line – 805-686-5074
• Air quality warning remains in effect
• Estimated costs to date $1.8 million




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An Evacuation Order has been issued for the area west of the existing evacuation area to include all areas north of US Highway 101 and east of Patterson Avenue.
An Evacuation Warning/Advisory remains in effect for area north of US Highway 101 between Patterson Avenue and Fairview Avenue continuing north from the end of Fairview Avenue to West Camino Cielo (northern boundary). Residents are encouraged to prepare for the need to evacuate in the near future.
Mandatory Evacuation Orders
The Mandatory Evacuation Order is expanded to include westbound State Street from Constance to La Cumbre, north on La Cumbre to La Colina Road, west on La Colina Road to HWY 154, HWY 154 south to US 101, west on US 101 to Patterson, north on Patterson to San Jose Creek to Camino Cielo. All points north of US 101 boundary are under Mandatory Evacuation Order. All other previous Mandatory Evacuation Order Areas remain in effect.


Evacuation Warnings
The Evacuation Warning Area is expanded to include Alamar at De La Vina, west on Alamar to Junipero St, wets on Junipero St to US 101, north on US 101 to upper State Street, east on State Street to De La Vina south to Alamar Street. Warnings also continue from State Street and De La Vina, De La Vina to Anapamu, Anapamu to Anacapa, Anacapa south to De La Guerra, De La Guerra to Milpas, Milpas south to Quinientos Street, Quinientos Street to Clifton Street to Eucalyptus Hill Road, Eucalyptus Hill Road to Barker Pass, Barker Pass to HWY 192 (Sycamore Canyon Road), HWY 192 (Sycamore Canyon Road) west to Stanwood Drive.

[Joe Bob]

My office next to the jail is closed.....

[DByers]

Another paid day off!

Sitting in the office with several customers who had to evac last night and the night before. 2 lost their homes on Wednesday night. Had to evac my parents last night also. Hoping this coffee can keep my eyes open today.