Santa Barbara is burning again!!

[streetk14]

This is the 4th large fire in the Santa Barbara foothill areas in the last year or so. This is getting really bad. I watched numerous houses and estates going up in flames from the roof at work this afternoon. Not sure how many homes have been lost yet, but there is no containment at this time. Hopefully the firefighters can keep it up in the hills. I can tell you that there is massive chaos right now in town, with thousands of people given mandatory evacuation orders.

Thankfully, I am not near this fire. The Gap fire last July came too close for comfort. I feel for the people who live in the burn areas.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=LOCAL&ID=565574741885321306)

[zbugger]

My co-worker has family there that has been evacuated. I really hope for the better on this one. Have they said yet how they think it started? Glad to hear you're out of harm's way on this one.

[David Pozzi]

Terrible! I've got a relative there.

[dropit69]

seen it on the news..that is horrible !!..you guys have the year round weather but a bunch of other bs i dont want..hope they get it under control soon

[jknight16]

Damn Andy, this is a tough way to start another summer. I was thinking you guys might catch a break this year.

Is Brady's folks place likely to be in danger? I remember they were kinda up in the hills.

[moreHP]

Its a mess. Those sundowner winds are brutal. Hopefully they get it knocked down today before the winds pick back up.

Best wishes to those that live in the burn area.

[68Formula]

Man, what is going on there? Ironically there's probably been more pollution in CA due to fires than vehicles.

Hope everyone stays safe.

At this rate, might as well make this thread a sticky.

[streetk14]

Damn Andy, this is a tough way to start another summer. I was thinking you guys might catch a break this year.

Is Brady's folks place likely to be in danger? I remember they were kinda up in the hills.



Yeah, those sun-downer winds are killer right now. plus, we are having record heat. Yesterday's high was 100 in Santa Barbara, today was about the same. It is a very dry heat, so it doesn't feel that bad, but it is horrible weather for fighting the fire.

Brady left work early yesterday to help his parents evacuate. He didn't come in today, either. Their house is at the base of the foothills, and right at the edge of the evacuation area (I think their street is the cutoff). Hopefully they are okay.

[streetk14]

seen it on the news..that is horrible !!..you guys have the year round weather but a bunch of other bs i dont want..hope they get it under control soon


It has been very dry the last year or so. This makes wildfires that much more likely. One of the downsides to living in paradise.....

[streetk14]

My co-worker has family there that has been evacuated. I really hope for the better on this one. Have they said yet how they think it started? Glad to hear you're out of harm's way on this one.


They have not released any info on what started the fire, but I do know that it started right near a popular hiking trail. If I had to guess, I'd say it was started by a smoker. Doesn't take much when it is dry, hot and windy.

[mazspeed]

Yeah two of my friends still live down there and they must be having a rough go of it. I used to live in Goleta, so I know that area that is burning. They have suffered enough with fires over the past 15 years.

[Twentyover]

This is the 4th large fire in the Santa Barbara foothill areas in the last year or so. This is getting really bad. I watched numerous houses and estates going up in flames from the roof at work this afternoon. Not sure how many homes have been lost yet, but there is no containment at this time. Hopefully the firefighters can keep it up in the hills. I can tell you that there is massive chaos right now in town, with thousands of people given mandatory evacuation orders.

Thankfully, I am not near this fire. The Gap fire last July came too close for comfort. I feel for the people who live in the burn areas.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=LOCAL&ID=565574741885321306)


Picture is like a scene from Apocalypse Now

[HWY Nova]

I work in the Santa Barbara/Goleta area (I live across the mountains in Santa Ynez, but I grew up in Santa Barbara). It is very eerie outside right now. The sky is a brownish-orange color..... and ashes are everywhere. Ashes got kicked up as I walked across the parking.

My aunt was evacuated within the fire hour of the fire starting a few days ago. We are not sure if her house is even there anymore. She went to my cousin's house, but then they were evacuated..... and they live in the city! They are all staying at my mother's house in Goleta......

Last night the fire moved toward Goleta. Now the fire is a few miles from my mother's house! It just doesn't quit!!!!!!!!!

My aunt's house in towards the upper end of the photo:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/capt_4d206fcfe273402a8a75314b221adc-1.jpg


--Eric

[streetk14]

I work in the Santa Barbara/Goleta area (I live across the mountains in Santa Ynez, but I grew up in Santa Barbara). It is very eerie outside right now. The sky is a brownish-orange color..... and ashes are everywhere. Ashes got kicked up as I walked across the parking.

My aunt was evacuated within the fire hour of the fire starting a few days ago. We are not sure if her house is even there anymore. She went to my cousin's house, but then they were evacuated..... and they live in the city! They are all staying at my mother's house in Goleta......

Last night the fire moved toward Goleta. Now the fire is a few miles from my mother's house! It just doesn't quit!!!!!!!!!

My aunt's house in towards the upper end of the photo:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/05/capt_4d206fcfe273402a8a75314b221adc-1.jpg


--Eric



Yeah, it is getting worse before it gets better. I was out last night and you could really see the flames up in the hills. You are right, very errie feeling with the brown/orange sky and ash falling like snow.

We shut down the shop at noon today because of the air quality and the fact that many of us are in evacuation areas or evacuation warning areas. I am now in an evacuation warning area, but we will see what tonight brings. Thankfully, it is much cooler today and the winds much calmer.