May 08, 2009
Jesusita Fire Info, Satellite Images, Maps, Links
Updated Info at County of Santa Barbara.
Tanker 910 is on scene. KEYT reports here. Only fire officials can answer why the contract supertanker was not called in sooner.
InciWeb is up and running with Jesusita Fire information here.
Tanker 910 is on scene. KEYT reports here. Only fire officials can answer why the contract supertanker was not called in sooner.
InciWeb is up and running with Jesusita Fire information here.
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 2,335 |
|---|---|
| Size | 3,500 acres |
| Percent Contained | 10% |
| Fuels Involved | Chaparral (6 Feet) |
| Fire Behavior | Upslope runs through out the evening and early morning with 60 to 100 foot flame lengths on the upper third of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Crowning, spotting, and actively burning. |
| Significant Events | Increased fire activity last night caused additional evacuation in the San Roque area, Hwy 154 on the West side of the fire. Water drops were conducted throughout the night by three type II helicopters. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Perimeter control, continue structure protection, engage fire where opportunities present themselves, continue line construction, mop-up and patrol structures. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | High |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
| Remarks | If the Red Flag conditions continue, control strategies will be challenged. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 20-45 g60 mph NE |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 98 degrees |
| Humidity | 10% |
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Jesusita Fire, Sundowners
Santa Barbara Still Losing Homes
Homes are still burning in Santa Barbara as the Jesusita Fire spreads tentacles of flame through canyons and into neighborhoods. The Governor declared a state of emergency on earlier this week that allowed fire officials to order up all necessary resources, so what happened?
According to discussion on Wildland Fire more resources have been called overnight but many of these strike teams are due to arrive later today.
I am baffled as to why homes are still burning. Is it possible the fire management team was caught flatfooted or is it just too early in the season to gather appropriate resources for such a fire.
Sundowners always present unique problems and weather reports were inconsistent earlier in the week. It's not fair to criticize when you are not on the ground but it's easy to ask why more resources were not called in sooner.
Guaranteed every fire crew in the state was ready if called.
According to discussion on Wildland Fire more resources have been called overnight but many of these strike teams are due to arrive later today.
I am baffled as to why homes are still burning. Is it possible the fire management team was caught flatfooted or is it just too early in the season to gather appropriate resources for such a fire.
Sundowners always present unique problems and weather reports were inconsistent earlier in the week. It's not fair to criticize when you are not on the ground but it's easy to ask why more resources were not called in sooner.
Guaranteed every fire crew in the state was ready if called.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Fire, Jesusita Fire, Sundowners
May 06, 2009
Jesusita Fire Maps and Links
Jesusitas Fire Taking Out Homes in Santa Barbara County
From a distance the Jesusitas Fire that began last evening looked fairly benign. Fire officials were "cautiously optimistic" this morning that firefighters would be able to lock this one down with minimum acreage and property loss.
Optimism was dashed late this afternoon as brisk offshore winds carried embers into adjoining neighborhoods resulting in numerous multi-million dollar family homes being burned to the ground.
Overhead camera shots from of the area of Tunnel Road and Mission Canyon Roads in Santa Barbara County show at least a dozen homes fully involved.
Terrain offers dense vegetation and steep slopes with homes occupying every ridge top. It's apparent defensible space ordinances are only a nuisance to many residents of this community.
Two firefighters have been injured according to NBC4 News in Los Angeles.
More at NBCLA.com
Optimism was dashed late this afternoon as brisk offshore winds carried embers into adjoining neighborhoods resulting in numerous multi-million dollar family homes being burned to the ground.
Overhead camera shots from of the area of Tunnel Road and Mission Canyon Roads in Santa Barbara County show at least a dozen homes fully involved.
Terrain offers dense vegetation and steep slopes with homes occupying every ridge top. It's apparent defensible space ordinances are only a nuisance to many residents of this community.
Two firefighters have been injured according to NBC4 News in Los Angeles.
More at NBCLA.com
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Sundowners
November 14, 2008
Tea Fire Burns 100 Homes In Exclusive Montecito
A wildfire has burned more than 2,500 acres and destroyed at least 100 homes in the Santa Barbara County community of Montecito.The Tea Fire began early Thursday evening and was pushed by high winds. Two firefighters and two civilians have been injured. At this time 120 fire engines and 500 firefighters are on the scene with more resources en route.
Winds in the area are expected to top at 60 mph today and tomorrow.
Local video can be accessed here.
Local fire information Santa Barbara County OES
Local Blog; Doc Searl
Ed Veilmetti's detailed fire report.
Additional information; Student and faculty housing units at Westmont College were destroyed. No students were injured. Students sheltered in place overnight in the college gym.
View Larger Map
Click Image To EnlargeLabels: 2008 Fire Season, Sundowners, Tea Fire
August 18, 2007
Sundowners, Santa Barbara's Santa Ana's
One class from my fire academy days that stuck in my head through the years was unique California wind phenomena that included discussion of So Cal's. Santa Ana's, Chinook or East winds in the N/E part of the state and Sundowners in Santa Barbara.
The instructors showed the class a video of dozer operators being overrun when a sundowner developed without warning. I don't recall the fire name or the extent of injuries I only remember how fast the crews were overrun.
Not much has been made of the the potential of such an event (publicly) from the Zaca Fire base but surely they are aware of the potential and keeping a keen eye.
I found a site that explains the sundowner phenomenon and it's a fascinating read.
The paper points to a sundowner fire that occurred in October 1971 below Romero Saddle that burned into and through Romero Canyon -- just SE of where the Zaca is headed.
According to the paper the Romero Saddle is one of three wind gaps in the Sana Ynez Range that invite the downhill wind.
With the area being squeezed by low pressure forming North and SE, (note image from an earlier post today) sundowners and the potential for deadly wind intensifies.
Extended area forecast discussion found here.
The instructors showed the class a video of dozer operators being overrun when a sundowner developed without warning. I don't recall the fire name or the extent of injuries I only remember how fast the crews were overrun.
Not much has been made of the the potential of such an event (publicly) from the Zaca Fire base but surely they are aware of the potential and keeping a keen eye.
I found a site that explains the sundowner phenomenon and it's a fascinating read.
The paper points to a sundowner fire that occurred in October 1971 below Romero Saddle that burned into and through Romero Canyon -- just SE of where the Zaca is headed.
According to the paper the Romero Saddle is one of three wind gaps in the Sana Ynez Range that invite the downhill wind.
With the area being squeezed by low pressure forming North and SE, (note image from an earlier post today) sundowners and the potential for deadly wind intensifies.
Extended area forecast discussion found here.
Labels: 2007 fire season, Sundowners, Zaca Fire
