Damn! The Fires are Back!

[3113]

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Winds swirled and homes of all sizes burned as a wildfire descended on this scenic coastal city amid hot, dry conditions that resembled late summer more than the middle of spring. Firefighters had a brief respite of moderate breezes early Thursday, but expected another day of heat, gusts and potential destruction as they took on a blaze that had swelled to 500 acres and forced the evacuation of more than 5,000 homes.

...The fire went from tame to explosive Wednesday afternoon as gusts up to 50 mph in triple-digit temperatures hurled the fire from north to south into neighborhoods, Santa Barbara County fire Capt. David Sadecki said. It remained out of control Thursday morning, though temperatures dropped to the 60s and winds had grown calm....More than 900 firefighters were on the lines, and 20 more strike teams totaling about 1,300 firefighters were requested.

...The city has experienced a number of wildfires. Less than six months ago a fire destroyed more than 200 homes in Santa Barbara and neighboring Montecito. The new fire reached the area burned by that blaze Wednesday.

Full story here. I'm about an hour away from Santa Barbara, but to have fires like this back again in May, and burning the same area again is alarming to say the least. Southern CA has always been susceptible to fires, and it's terrible but not surprising when they happen. There are usually, however, a few years in between big fires. The whole southern half of the state is just too dry and conditions throughout the coming months are going to be like a tinderbox.

 

[fieryjen]

Uh oh!

I can't imagine living in an area where there's that much danger of fire. *crosses fingers and sends out good thoughts*

 

[3113]

The Latest!

More than 30,000 people have been ordered to flee a wildfire that burned a five-mile-long front above wealthy coastal communities by Friday, after another hot, windy night in which the fire chief said "all hell broke loose." Towering columns of brown smoke roiled off the face of the Santa Ynez Mountains after a fierce overnight battle as the 3,500-acre blaze repeated its pattern of relative calm in daylight and explosive behavior when evening winds arrive. It had been estimated at only about 1,300 acres Thursday afternoon.

"Literally last night, all hell broke loose," Santa Barbara city Fire Chief Andrew DiMizio said. Officials predicted Friday night would bring the same destructive mix of hot weather and strong wind gusts. It was unknown how many homes were lost overnight on top of the estimated 75 houses destroyed earlier in the week in canyon neighborhoods along the north edge of Santa Barbara. Firefighters put out roof fires and kept the blaze from spreading into Santa Barbara proper, and many homes were saved, DiMizio said.

The blaze jumped a highway and pushed west toward neighboring Goleta and east toward tony Montecito, and evacuation orders more than doubled in less than a day.

Rest here.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Wull it serv dem snootee piple rite fer livin' dere and tinkin' dey better'n uz.



At least the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate is on the other side of the freeway by the sea.

 

[cloudy]

Wull it serv dem snootee piple rite fer livin' dere and tinkin' dey better'n uz.



At least the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate is on the other side of the freeway by the sea.

I grew up there, and still have friends there.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I grew up there, and still have friends there.

I hope they all listened to the fire marshals and that their homes were spared! I'm not sure that there is any real defense against these firestorms but clearing around the house and having a tile roof have got to help. Having a pool, a gasoline-powered pump and a firehose might help even more.

 

[jomar]

I grew up there, and still have friends there.

I just KNEW your were a snob!

 

[jushorny]

Full story here. I'm about an hour away from Santa Barbara, but to have fires like this back again in May, and burning the same area again is alarming to say the least. Southern CA has always been susceptible to fires, and it's terrible but not surprising when they happen. There are usually, however, a few years in between big fires. The whole southern half of the state is just too dry and conditions throughout the coming months are going to be like a tinderbox.

I have a project I'm involved in there and was just there Monday & Tuesday of this week. As we drove to the airport we saw the beginning of the fire. We hoped it wouldn't get worse.

I have friends/colleagues who live and work in Santa Barbara and surrounding area. One has had to evacuate. First to a friend's house with her husband and two younger kids. Today they had to evacuate their friend's home as well. She is a partner in her firm and this could jeopardize their business as well.

Voluptuary...it is not just wealthy snobby people who reside there. There are many many people who provide services to the wealthy. Many times it is the wealthy who provide the jobs for others to live....

I realize that the wealthy probably can afford to re-build, but it will not replace the personal items, memories, photos, etc. They really are like everyone else in that perspective.

Those less financially sound might lose their housing in addition to their lively hood and personal possessions.

It truly is a tragedy, we are lucky that so far there have only been minor injuries. Let's hope it continues that way.

 

[TE999]

Man, that fire is flat nasty! When you see Royal Palm trees on fire, you know you're in deep shit. I hope there's no further damage and they get the blaze under control.

I'll take a hurricane any time.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I'm not sure what the weather forecast is up that way but here the temperature dropped 15 degrees from yesterday and the wind shifted to an onshore flow. If SB gets the same thing tonight, it will help greatly. Come onnnnnnn, Mama Pacific!

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Tomorrow's forecast:

Hourly Forecast more details
6 am

58°F

Feels Like
58°F
9 am

64°F

Feels Like
64°F
12 pm

71°F

Feels Like
71°F
3 pm

72°F

Feels Like
72°F
6 pm

68°F

Feels Like
68°F
9 pm

63°F

Feels Like
63°F
Day Night


Sunny High
74°F

Precip
0%

Wind: W 10 mph
Max. Humidity: 51%
UV Index: 9 Very High
Sunrise: 6:01 AM PT
Avg. High: 69°F
Record High: 88°F (1934)



Clear Overnight Low
56°F

Precip
0%

Wind: NNE 6 mph
Max. Humidity: 64%


Sunset: 7:50 PM PT
Avg. Low: 52°F
Record Low: 42°F (1930)


Yes!

 

[jushorny]

Tomorrow's forecast:

Hourly Forecast more details
6 am

58°F

Feels Like
58°F
9 am

64°F

Feels Like
64°F
12 pm

71°F

Feels Like
71°F
3 pm

72°F

Feels Like
72°F
6 pm

68°F

Feels Like
68°F
9 pm

63°F

Feels Like
63°F
Day Night


Sunny High
74°F

Precip
0%

Wind: W 10 mph
Max. Humidity: 51%
UV Index: 9 Very High
Sunrise: 6:01 AM PT
Avg. High: 69°F
Record High: 88°F (1934)



Clear Overnight Low
56°F

Precip
0%

Wind: NNE 6 mph
Max. Humidity: 64%


Sunset: 7:50 PM PT
Avg. Low: 52°F
Record Low: 42°F (1930)


Yes!

Good news! Thanks for posting the info

 

[cloudy]

I just checked the evacuation map, and the house I grew up in is in a mandatory evacuation area. Looks like the fire is right on top of the junior high I went to.

 

[3113]

Tomorrow's forecast

Isn't there supposed to be a little rain?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Isn't there supposed to be a little rain?

In May? In SoCal? We should be so lucky. No, not a drop in sight--probably until November! Pray for really heavy dew.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Pacific Mama came through!

 

[3113]

Hooray!

 

[jushorny]

Very good news!