Posted by ws1 on: May 06 2009
Happily, for the second night in a row, the ferocious winds are dying down, allowing firefighters another opportunity to put the Jesusita Fire in it's place.
Unfortunately, todays sudden change in wind transformed what most of us thought was a 'dying or almost dead fire' into new bigger fire with leaping flames and a towering column of smoke casting an orange shadow over most of Santa Barbara. Day 2 turned out to be much worse than day 1. The fire sprouting new children in multiple locations forced an expansion of the original evacuation areas. Several structures (aka peoples homes) were (and are currently being) burnt, and we've heard that 2 firefighters have been burnt (unconfirmed).
I'm hoping that since todays flare-up, we have more fire personnel in Santa Barbara as a result. Arnold has declared SB a disaster area, which hopefully means more reinforcements (though we are competing with another blaze in Arizona). Especially considering the now obvious urgency that the fire needs to be dealt with tonight, and early tomorrow before the same winds (which are again in the forecast) return.
We did see a swift convoy of maybe 15 fresh Northbound firetrucks rolling into town with their lights flashing on the 101 from our perch on Loma Alta. It felt a bit like the Calvary was coming (sent chills up my spine). Hopefully with the new reinforcements, they'll knock it back tonight.
As usual, I have a bunch of photos embedded into this post (below).
Here is the most recent evacuation Google Map which shows the mandatory evac area extending into Downtown SB all the way to State Street. The evac warning area now extends as far as Chapala St. as far down as Anapamu.
If you want info on shelters, evacuation areas, etc.. try here
The Independent has a pretty comprehensive list of phone numbers, websites and what-not that is very useful along with a nice update by Matt Kettmann
PHOTOS: See Links, Maps and Photos from earlier today, yesterday & last night:
Dramatic Day 2 images from Loma Alta on the Mesa
Helicopters at the junior high, fire crews at Earl Warren Showgrownds
Night-fire pictures taken from downtown Santa Barbara
*Shelter Information, Maps, Links and Fire Photos from our post yesterday afternoon.
The consensus up at Hilda McIntyre Ray Park (where some of these were shot) is that the big glowing hot-spot is Rattlesnake Canyon. If anyone can confirm, or prove incorrect, please comment below.
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