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Jesusita Fire
updated: May 06, 2009, 6:24 AM

This is the Jesusita Fire page with information from Tuesday May 5th. The information on this page is sequential, it goes from the start of the fire to the end of the day. You can read comments for May 5th at the bottom of the page or here.

There is a new page for information and comments on the Jesusita Fire for today - Sunday, May 10th. Click Here

Here are link to other day's news, photos and comment threads from the Jesusita Fire: (May 5) (May 6) (May 7) (May 8) (May 9)

1:45pm May 5, 2009
There is a fire in the foothills of Santa Barbara. It started sometime around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday and is named for the trail near its point of origin. The cause is unknown and investigators are asking for help in determining it.

Update 2 p.m.: County fire is on the scene of the fire in San Roque Canyon and monitoring the winds. The PIO says that the location is designated as San Roque Canyon. An Edhat staffer on scene says that it seems to be near the power lines.

Update 2:05 p.m.: The county supervisors are receiving an update on the fire during their meeting. The information is not being shared with the public in attendance or listening on public access on TV.

2:06 p.m. release from Bill Boyer, County PIO: "There is a very visible fire in the hills above Santa Barbara. Preliminary reports are fire near Tunnel Road area.
USFS / Los Padres and County Fire Crews are responding."

Evac orders in place for residents above Holly Road.
Mission and Foothill Roads are closed.

2:10 p.m. KSBY reports about 4 acres of brush burned.

2:25 p.m.: County update, 2 choppers in route. Winds out of the northeast.

City schools are being dismissed early.

2:32 p.m. The county has activated its EOC.
Evac warnings in place north of Foothill and east of Hwy. 154 to Mission Canyon.

2:35 p.m." The county fire PIO tells KSBY the fire is not spreading fast.

You can turn to Channel 20 for county info updates.

2:55 p.m. Residents in the Tunnel Road area say they have received reverse 911 calls and are evacuating their homes.

3 p.m. Channel 20 banner now says there are NO EVACUATIONS, but this is subject to change at short notice.

3:17 p.m.: KCOY 12 is broadcasting aerial images of the fire.

3:30 p.m.: Update at supes meeting, staff says that the area north of Foothill and east of Hwy. 154 is "of concern" but there are no evacuations. Confirms delivery of some reverse 911 calls in the immediate fire area. Says there will be another update for the public at the end of the meeting.

3:35 p.m.: Caltrans: "SANTA BARBARA – State Route 192 (Foothill Road) has been closed to eastbound traffic from the Junction of Hwy. 154 to Mission Canyon Road due to a brush fire.
There is no estimated time for the re-opening of this portion of State Route 192."

County: Red Cross Shelter is at 21 E. Constance Near State Street
Evacuations “box” in the area of Highway 154 to Mission Canyon, including Tunnel Road, and Botanic Garden
All of Spyglass Road , north of Botanic Gardens, all of Tunnel Road and all of Holly Road
Expect updates and expect it to change quickly
Notification only from Highway 154 to Gibraltar Road north of Foothill Road,
Fire burning in the Inspiration Point area north of Spyglass

4 p.m. AP News: there have been no reports of damage or injuries.

4:25

Comments In Order Of When They Were Received | (reverse order)

LAVEN	2009-05-05 01:53 PM
fire is at foothill and Ontare - up in the foothills
COMMENT 26533	2009-05-05 01:54 PM
Just got a call from my wife that there is in fact a fire burning in this hills above Santa Barbara. You can see it from Mission as you head up the hill.
QUEENWHACKAMOLE	2009-05-05 01:54 PM
smoke visible from UCSB
COMMENT 26535	2009-05-05 01:57 PM
oh my god we're all gonna die
ALLEGRO805	2009-05-05 01:57 PM
emergency alert systems... testing... testing... How long will it take for info to become available about this event. As of two minutes ago: Indy, KEYT, Daily Sound websites... nothing.
POPE	2009-05-05 01:59 PM
It looks like right near Inspiration Point, below Cathedral Peak.
COMMENT 26538	2009-05-05 02:01 PM
I can see it from my office window (I'm downtown on Canon Perdido). It seems further South than Ontare - maybe a building fire? Where's our local news? Funny that the only source of info so far is on EDHAT!
COMMENT 26539	2009-05-05 02:03 PM
I called it in and told the local fire fighters. The start of the fire was about a mile or two up the hill from the water treatment plant at the end of san roque (las positas). Basically if you were to walk up jessuitta you would have to go left for a mile or so. Its burning really good up there but the hot shots just went by
COMMENT 26540	2009-05-05 02:04 PM
fire is burning really strongly, winds pushing it, there is nothing up on the hill there so would expect this one to be man made
MICHIEB	2009-05-05 02:04 PM
daily sound has a story up on their site a few minutes ago when I looked
REMARKER	2009-05-05 02:05 PM
Three sets of fire trucks went up 154 five minutes ago.
POPE	2009-05-05 02:05 PM
It could be power lines. It is right near the Edison power lines that go along near Inspiration Point. Although it does look above the lines.
COMMENT 26544	2009-05-05 02:07 PM
A pic from my buddies iphone right now http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df6n4kxc_74g3n8wzch
COMMENT 26545	2009-05-05 02:07 PM
its west of the inspiration power lines, but at about the same height
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 02:11 PM
Sirens audible at 154@Cathedral Oaks. Very tall flames. I'll send some still photos to Ed.
MICHIEB	2009-05-05 02:18 PM
KEYT saying the following BREAKING NEWS: Brush Fire Burning In San Roque Canyon UPDATE: Evacuation orders issued for Holly Road.: Santa Barbara- A brush fire is burning in San Roque Canyon. The fire broke out just after 1:30 P.M. Santa Barbara County and City fire crews are responding. Key News has crews on the way to the scene, and we'll continue to update this as more information comes into our newsroom
COMMENT 26550	2009-05-05 02:19 PM
Well, Indy doesn't have anything up about it, but their text alert system's working... that's what alerted me to this fire... glad to have it since I work in an office with no windows, no way to know what's going on in the world....
MICHIEB	2009-05-05 02:19 PM
Noozhawk.com also running story anyone get a indyalert yet?
COMMENT 26549	2009-05-05 02:19 PM
Chopper on-scene, and sirens continue to blare on Foothill road.
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 02:22 PM
Winds picking up and gusting, but still out of the West.
MICHIEB	2009-05-05 02:24 PM
from the Daily Sound Fire breaks out near Cathedral Peak By DAILY SOUND STAFF — May 5, 2009 2:04 p.m. UPDATE: Fire crews said they would be evacuating Holly Road, parts of upper Tunnel Road and Mission Canyon.
POPE	2009-05-05 02:30 PM
From Daily Sound Authorities dubbed the blaze the Jesusita Incident, and at 1:50 p.m., said it was burning in heavy fuels near Inspiration Point. Authorities said the closest structures were in the Tunnel Road area, and were accessing the blaze from this road.
COMMENT 26556	2009-05-05 02:31 PM
I hope they get it soon!
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 02:39 PM
I've just put up a few pics on my Photo Page.
COMMENT 26559	2009-05-05 02:40 PM
I hope everyone is safe ....
COMMENT 26560	2009-05-05 02:42 PM
KEYT weather says that conditions are identical to the Tea Fire. They are expecting sun-downer winds to start in the evening. If they don't get this this contained by then this will be a big problem.
COMMENT 26562	2009-05-05 02:47 PM
I got some good telephoto pics of the fire in its early stages - I will add to this flickr set as I can http://www.flickr.com/photos/ptone/sets/721576176602 29681/
SURFIMP	2009-05-05 02:48 PM
Another photo taken at 3:45pm from downtown at Chapala x Micheltorena: Fire photo Hope they get this contained quickly, I'm worried about the winds this afternoon. It's already breezy.
COMMENT 26564	2009-05-05 02:50 PM
Two helicopters now, one umbilical type and one water bag type. Winds in the area are gusting to 25 mph.
COMMENT 26566	2009-05-05 02:57 PM
Just received a reverse 9-1-1 call. Evacuation area so far is upper Mission Canyon. Luckily, Laurel reservoir, where the helicopters are collecting water, is very close to the fire. Let's all cross our fingers...
JLGINSB	2009-05-05 02:59 PM
If you go to google maps of the area (Jesusita Lane) and pick satellite view you can get a pretty good sense of where the fire seems to be and structures in the area. It seems to be running along the ridgeline that is above Jesusita Lane and heading towards Spyglass Ridge Rd.
COMMENT 26568	2009-05-05 03:01 PM
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=jesusita%20trail%20santa%20barbara&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl
COMMENT 26569	2009-05-05 03:03 PM
3:00pm fire spreading rapidly to the E-NE - so far not much downhill movement. -Preston
COMMENT 26570	2009-05-05 03:04 PM
Correction by the fire department via keyt - no evacuations have been ordered.
COMMENT 26571	2009-05-05 03:04 PM
the flickr link didn't paste correctly http://www.flickr.com/photos/ptone/sets/721576176602 29681/ Flickr Set
REMARKER	2009-05-05 03:05 PM
Not everyone has Channel 20. You have to have Cox to get this channel, don't you? Please keep the updates coming on, edhat!
COMMENT 26573	2009-05-05 03:06 PM
Fire department says live on air with KEYT, no road closures & no evacuation orders
COMMENT 26575	2009-05-05 03:09 PM
From NWS SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA 200 PM PDT TUE MAY 5 2009 .SHORT TERM (TODAY-FRI)...WINDS AND WARM TEMPS CONTINUE TO BE THE MAIN FOCUS THIS WEEK, THOUGH SOME PORTIONS OF OUR FORECAST AREA WILL HAVE NEITHER OF CONSEQUENCE. THE SOUTH COAST OF SBA COUNTY WILL BE THE MOST INTERESTING AS THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR BOTH VERY WARM AND WINDY CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS THROUGH FRIDAY. TEMPS MAY RISE INTO THE 90S IN SOME AREAS THERE WITH WINDS GUSTING TO NEAR 50 MPH. THE ANTELOPE VALLEY AND INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR OF THE VENTURA AND LA COUNTY MOUNTAINS WILL ALSO BE QUITE BREEZY THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS AND A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT THERE AS WELL. WITH HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING OVER THE AREA THE THIS WEEK MOST AREAS WILL SEE SOME WARMING, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS. THERE STILL REMAINS CONSIDERABLE DISAGREEMENT IN THE MODELS REGARDING HOW MUCH COASTAL WARMING WILL TAKE PLACE, WITH THE NAM REALLY KICKING UP HIGHS AT THE BEACHES THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS WHILE THE GFS INDICATES A MUCH MORE TYPICAL TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION PATTERN. I THINK THE NAM HAS SOME CREDENCE TO IT AS IT DOES APPEAR THAT GRADIENTS WILL BE TURNING SLIGHTLY OFFSHORE THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS, BUT I`M NOT FULLY BUYING INTO IT`S SOLUTION, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO THE HIGHS. FOR NOW HAVE GONE WITH A BLEND OF THE GFS AND NAM WITH A SLIGHT NOD TOWARDS THE WARMER NAM. THIS WILL RESULT IN WARMER VALLEY HIGHS IN THE LOW TO MID 90S AND MOSTLY 60S AND 70S AT THE COAST. HIGHS WILL PEAK THU AND FRI. OVERNIGHT LOWS WILL STAY WARM IN THE FOOTHILLS AND WINDY AREAS BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS, MAINLY IN THE UPPER 60S TO MID 70S WHILE VALLEYS AND COASTAL AREAS DROP INTO THE 50S AN... [ more ]
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 03:13 PM
Massive flames on the eastern flank now. At least a hundred feet high. Just took some pics and will put them on my photo page. It will be a miracle if this doesn't now head down the other side of the ridge and run amok. Choppers don't seem to be trying to drop on the east flank.
MICHIEB	2009-05-05 03:15 PM
KTYD updating every 10 minutes or so via radio
COMMENT 26578	2009-05-05 03:19 PM
Going into Mission Canyon - Mission Canyon Road is closed past Rocky Nook Park. Foothill is already closed because of the CalTrans work. I think Alamar is open, but don't know how backed up it is.
COMMENT 26579	2009-05-05 03:20 PM
For those who do not have Channel 20/Cable, check these links for streaming County TV: http://sbcounty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=7 http://www.countyofsb.org/central.aspx?id=1952&terms=csbtv
JUKINJAY	2009-05-05 03:32 PM
As it goes east it may run into the Tea Fire burn area and run out of fuel. This could be the strategy for not attacking it there, in addition to the difficulty and danger of helicopters getting through the smoke and winds to attack the eastern flank.
POPE	2009-05-05 03:37 PM
KCOY is bringing it live. http://www.kcoy.com/global/story.asp?s=1343812&displayHelp=true&displayHelp=true
COMMENT 26582	2009-05-05 03:43 PM
A pair of fixed wing aircraft have just arrived on the scene and are circling the fire now.
COMMENT 26583	2009-05-05 03:44 PM
Twitter has (search) tag is #jesusitafire. http://search.twitter.com/search?q=jesusitafire
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 03:44 PM
Massive flames on the eastern flank now. At least a hundred feet high. Just took some pics and will put them on my photo page. It will be a miracle if this doesn't now head down the other side of the ridge and run amok. Choppers don't seem to be trying to drop on the east flank.
COMMENT 26586	2009-05-05 03:54 PM
You can view live streaming video of the fire at www.makeitwork.com Live from the rooftop of MIW Headquarters KNX 1070 has updates at the top and bottom of every hour.
COMMENT 26587	2009-05-05 03:56 PM
Time Lapse 1500-1540 Shows rapid spread to the E-NE Taken from the San Roque Neighborhood -Preston
POPE	2009-05-05 03:56 PM
I think this is where it is in reference to other landmarks up there.
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 03:57 PM
Massive flames on the eastern flank now. At least a hundred feet high. Just took some pics and will put them on my photo page. It will be a miracle if this doesn't now head down the other side of the ridge and run amok. Choppers don't seem to be trying to drop on the east flank.
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 03:59 PM
Just saw the fixed wing drop on the northeast flank. Now both planes are climbing out over the ridge. Hope they don't have to go all the way to Santa Maria to reload!
COMMENT 26591	2009-05-05 04:02 PM
What's really screwed up is that there was a major traffic jam in front of the Mission because the police aren't letting people through to Foothill because it is closed. I had to leave my car at Rocky Nook and walk up to Cheltenham. However, Alamar to Foothill was wide open with no traffic. The police didn't know what was going on at all.
COMMENT 26592	2009-05-05 04:02 PM
A couple panoramic shots i made. You can see last years tea fire scar and the current burning. http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9200/newest11resize.jpg http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4270/newfireresize.jpg
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 04:02 PM
Both planes in formation climbed north-northeast. Must be going to that fire support airport along Hwy.5 where the "supertanker" is kept. Paso or Santa Maria would be more north-northwest.
JUSTICE3	2009-05-05 04:04 PM
Mistake to have moved the planes from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria and just last week on to Paso Robles - more than two hours elapsed and they are just now arriving here.
DAN39	2009-05-05 04:05 PM
Hey John. KCAL helicopter pilot just said the fixed wing aircraft have a 200 mile round trip.
COMMENT 26596	2009-05-05 04:08 PM
I heard there was a control burn up there today that got out of hand. Anyone know if that is true?
IMABOO	2009-05-05 04:08 PM
Live Feed from KCAL9 KCAL9
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 04:17 PM
Only the criminally insane would do a controlled burn on a day like this, so that's highly unlikely. More likely arson or some sort of accidental start (do hikers smoke?). I looked on an old FAA chart, and the planes seemed to be going generally toward Visalia, somewhere near magnetic north. Big smoke plumes past the ridge now, so it's likely burning on the far side moving down slope, which might slow it a bit on the move east. There's a small spot fire just west of the western edge that's been growing, and the chopper tried at least once to drop on it but the wind blew the water off target. If the wind shifts from the north, that one will have lots of dry brush to burn down slope.
QUEENWHACKAMOLE	2009-05-05 04:18 PM
Any links to evacuation maps?
COMMENT 26600	2009-05-05 04:18 PM
Just at the top of Cieneguitas Road above my house -- fire going up mountain at decent rate, some pictures sent to Edhat, more here http://gallery.me.com/nelshenderson#100064&bgcolor= black&view=grid and at Twitter @nelshenderson
EDONE	2009-05-05 04:19 PM
Mandartory Evacuation north of 192 from morada & ontare to el camino cielto
COMMENT 26602	2009-05-05 04:22 PM
Here some closeups: link
COMMENT 26603	2009-05-05 04:30 PM
anyone know the best radio for info? - (planning ahead for poss. power outage later) and how far did the tea fire burn over on the west? Maybe if this gets over that far it will run into a lack of fuel. wow - just while typing this the room became orange as the wind shifted the smoke over here on APS by Barker Pass
COMMENT 26604	2009-05-05 04:31 PM
power just dipped up on APS.
COMMENT 26605	2009-05-05 04:32 PM
John Wiley: Thanks for the great photos.
COMMENT 26607	2009-05-05 04:33 PM
I was alerted to the fire and drove up to check it out a 1:48pm. I live at Foothill and Ontare. For the record, it took 2.5 hours for the first water/retardant drops. When I saw it, it was three small spot fires near the powerlines and the access road. Within 20 minutes it was HUGE with flames everywhere higher up the canyon. Just think what could have been if we had wildfire support right here in town. Out.
BOOKLADY	2009-05-05 04:33 PM
Power dipped here too. Downtown.
COMMENT 26609	2009-05-05 04:34 PM
Just heard Woodglen Hall Retirement Home is being evacuated
COMMENT 26611	2009-05-05 04:36 PM
Power dipped at 4:31 out on Ward Dr in Goleta, even. Another one of those wild nights ahead? Hope everyone's got their batteries stocked up from last summer. Be safe out there!
COMMENT 26610	2009-05-05 04:36 PM
Woodglen would be in the evac zone mentioned below. The winds have really shifted in the last half hour and are now blowing the smoke directly over the Mission.
COMMENT 26613	2009-05-05 04:40 PM
Military acronym comes to mind: BOHICA (Bend Over, Here It Comes Again.)
COMMENT 26612	2009-05-05 04:40 PM
Glad I broke down after Tea fire and purchased a police scanner. At lease when I'm sitting in the dark I wont BE in the dark!
COMMENT 26614	2009-05-05 04:50 PM
@larrybic: If you really drove up and rubbernecked, I am ashamed. The less looky loos up there, the better. Let's try and keep the roads as clear as possible so the emergency services can do their job!
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 04:53 PM
At 4:40 I got a photo of another fixed wing tanker drop, and have just added that to the growing collection on my Photo Page. They seem to be focusing tankers and helos on the west and north flanks. That pesky spot fire just outside the west burn is still going, but a helo finally got some water on it, so maybe hand crews can finish it off. Looks like big trouble to the east of the ridge now, with massive smoke plumes.
KEVSTEELE	2009-05-05 04:59 PM
Some photos from 2:45pm at Peabody Charter here: http://www.kevsteele.com/jesusita/ we are evacuating so not sure if I'll post more at this site. Kevin Steele
COMMENT 26618	2009-05-05 05:01 PM
native Santa Barbaran watching from North Tahoe with a heavy haert..that's my boyhood neighborhood..... hasn't burned since b4 I was born, Coyote Fire
COMMENT 26619	2009-05-05 05:01 PM
Looks like the sundowners have begun. I'm sitting above La Cumbre Jr High and the shift is noticeable. I really pray this will stay out of the inhabited areas.
JUSTICE3	2009-05-05 05:02 PM
Larrybic - Couldn't agree more - what will it take for this town to learn that rapid, massive response is the only way to effectively fight these wildfires.
GOWEST	2009-05-05 05:17 PM
John P is at Holly Rd. He says the fire is moving East. It seems like it is currently moving behind Botanic Garden, let hope it doesn't drop down into Mission Canyon.
SURFIMP	2009-05-05 05:21 PM
A lot of good realtime info going on Twitter using hashtag #jesusitafire
COMMENT 26623	2009-05-05 05:22 PM
How do I send photos of the Jesusita Fire from Grove & Dixon Streets, in San Roque? Flames are visible...two helicopters are working valiently to contain the flames, but I don't see progress from this angle. I wish there were more helicopters available!
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 05:27 PM
I just put on my Photo Page a hand-held telephoto (e.g. somewhat unsteady) video of the second of two tanker drops in a row. You'll need the Adobe Flash Player to watch it, unless you can find a way to download and play the original 416KB MP3 I uploaded. The choppers are making a difference, slowing it down but not putting it down. A while ago there was a large flare up just up the ridge from where it started, and a chopper knocked it back down to slow burn.
EDONE	2009-05-05 05:29 PM
People have been asking us for an evacuation map. Here is the one from KETY
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 05:35 PM
That pesky spot fire outside the west edge has flared up to tall flames. Hope they can knock it down again. Friday is full moon and tonight is 90% illuminated, so maybe they'll be able to fly later or even at night? Chopper fighting the wind passing 154 to go fuel up at SBA. Great work, guys - be safe!
COMMENT 26627	2009-05-05 05:37 PM
Update from Cieneguitas with high rez pics, smoke going east, crews dropping at strong rate, helicopters overhead. See http://bit.ly/14wyn Pray for no sundowners. Best Twitter: #jesusitafire
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 05:38 PM
Just noticed, looks like some staging for the choppers at the bridge to nowhere on 154.
COMMENT 26629	2009-05-05 05:39 PM
I live up by marymount, any word on how close the fire is? my friend lives by the tunnel trail entrance, any word on if thats burned or looks like it will?
COMMENT 26630	2009-05-05 05:48 PM
I just spent about 3+ hours shooting photos from LA Cumbre and San Roque. I'm going to upload them to my computer and then link a few to my flickr. Ill post the link in a bit. However, great and impressive work by the police and firefighters I saw while shooting! keep it up guys!
ALLEGRO805	2009-05-05 05:48 PM
I was told by the MTD driver that there's a roadblock on Los Olivos at Garden Street, so if you're normally headed up past the Mission (to APS, etc.), don't go that way -- or maybe they're letting local traffic through. Not sure.
JAZZEE	2009-05-05 06:01 PM
The Indy has maps, phone numbers, etc. and appears to be updating regularly. Please post any other Web sites doing the same.
GOWEST	2009-05-05 06:04 PM
Here is a map I found on Twitter.
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 06:07 PM
Power went out at Mission & 101. Tanker knocked down the west edge again (I just posted a pic on my flickr), but now there are tall flames on the south edge of that west part. If the winds do shift to sundowner, this will be very bad news for everything downslope.
PARSONS	2009-05-05 06:12 PM
KEYT evacuation map had Anacapa x Pueblo in the warning zone. Can anyone confirm this, or is the map sloppy? They haven't mentioned any change.
COMMENT 26638	2009-05-05 06:20 PM
does anyone have photos of the fire looking from downtown or looking from east beach back?
GOWEST	2009-05-05 06:27 PM
KEYT is interviewing people who don't know anything.
COMMENT 26641	2009-05-05 06:29 PM
PHOTOS - I do not know how to post a link so I will just paste it in, but here are about 40 pictures from this afternoon. I took about 300 and will edit some in PS and crop them larger and post them up later. Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinalanbaum/sets/72157617757341640/
JUSTICE3	2009-05-05 06:31 PM
Power went out downtown for about 5 minutes and came back on. This could be a long night for everyone - firefighters and us - if the winds continue to gust and change direction
ALLEGRO805	2009-05-05 06:31 PM
Gowest, I imagine the people who know anything are a little bit busy right now and can only give updates/interviews once per hour or so.
COMMENT 26644	2009-05-05 06:37 PM
i have a live webcam up. https://www.gotowebinar.com/register/423485001
COMMENT 26645	2009-05-05 06:39 PM
SANCHITO SONRIA. FYI, I live in the neighborhood and I rode up on my bike, my Hebb electric (it's quite a hill !) not car. At the time, the fire was a mere three small spots fires, probably no more than 10 or 20 feet in diameter. I had binoculars. There were only a few of us neighbors there, looking at the Edison utility access road for unauthorized vehicles/people. We did not see any suspects. Too bad it took hours before the blaze was addressed.
EDONE	2009-05-05 06:52 PM
Edison says that power is on everywhere.
COMMENT 26647	2009-05-05 06:59 PM
2nd Flame Retardant Drop of the day - ...just before 3pm. There were two dropper planes that flew in succession right after each other. I only managed to capture one and have cropped and edited to make it a bit clearer.
COMMENT 26648	2009-05-05 07:05 PM
I'm hearing airplanes overhead. Weather is cool here and air breathable ( if anyone is like me and needs to get out from where heat and smoke happen, for medical respiratory reasons) here in Santa Maria.
WAHINE	2009-05-05 07:06 PM
Is anyone evacuating lower Cheltenham? It seems premature at this time.
COMMENT 26650	2009-05-05 07:07 PM
anyone know which direction the wind is blowing as of now?
KEVSTEELE	2009-05-05 07:12 PM
What is best radio coverage? I will be out of TV and Internet.
COMMENT 26652	2009-05-05 07:20 PM
KTYD and Rincon are on top of it
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 07:21 PM
Here at 154@Cathedral Oaks winds shifted to northwest an hour ago, and just now (7:20) started dying down between gusts. Some of the gusts were -really- strong 15 minutes ago. The temperature has dropped from 80-something at 5:45 down to 72 right now. There's low cloud hanging over Painted Cave, so maybe that humid and cool air will reduce the "sundowner" wind effects. The smoke has been much thinner for the last hour, but some of that is because it's blowing down the canyon more. But even with strong winds before, it was making giant plumes that would then blow away. That seems to indicate the fire is now more spread out, with no monster hot spots like it had. I hope.
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 07:25 PM
Large flames just flared up on the west edge. Sure is giving them trouble! At least it's in an easier spot for the helos to reach, and it's at the peak of a ridge where wind and terrain will hopefully slow it.
JAZZEE	2009-05-05 07:31 PM
KEYT, channel 3, has a press conference coming up. It's supposed to start at 7:30... might be a few minutes later... if the officials are slow to arrive.
COMMENT 26656	2009-05-05 07:34 PM
The airbomber in kdabomb's 6:59 post is a Grumman S2 Turbo Tracker. These planes were built back in the 50's as sub hunters and were originally powered by Wright R- 1820 engines. In recent years they have been repowered with turboprops. I bet all you people up in the hills are very, very happy those old aircraft are still flying. You can thank us mechanics for keeping them airworthy.
BECKY	2009-05-05 07:35 PM
Santa Barbara County emergency broadcast information through local radio stations. For the safety of you and your family, place a crank or battery radio in your emergency ready kit today! Radio-Ready emergency broadcast stations: Santa Barbara KTMS 990 AM KIST 1490 AM KIST 107.7 FM KSPE 94.5 FM KTYD 99.9 FM KSBL 101.7 FM KCSB 91.9 FM Santa Maria KUHL 1440 AM Santa Ynez KRAZ105.9 FM
COMMENT 26658	2009-05-05 07:36 PM
good ol traffic control.....tried to get our cousin out who doesn't have a car and they wouldn't let us through...hope he doesn't get stuck
COMMENT 26659	2009-05-05 07:46 PM
How far is the fire front from residences? Does anyone know?
COMMENT 26660	2009-05-05 07:57 PM
The Ventura Fire chopper is headed home. Just flew overhead. Must be nightvision time.
COMMENT 26661	2009-05-05 08:01 PM
Yes, they just said at the news conference that the LA guys who fly at night are on their way.
COMMENT 26662	2009-05-05 08:01 PM
A couple helicopters just flew over to the east side, landing either at SB Jr. High or the Armory across the street.
COMMENT 26663	2009-05-05 08:19 PM
They just said on the news that the fire lines are half a mile from residences, but I didn't hear which "front" that was--I am assuming the top of Tunnel Rd.
JOHN WILEY	2009-05-05 08:28 PM
Seeing some pretty high flames from the southwest side, in several hotspots including one near the northeastern edge. We walked up a knoll by 154@Cathedral Oaks at dusk, and I've just posted several pics on my Photo Page. I might take some night shots and post them in a minute, because the flames are getting -really- high.
COMMENT 26665	2009-05-05 08:49 PM
I live at the base of San Marcos Rd. and the winds are pretty fierce. I don't know if that's the case where the flames are but it's impressive here.
COMMENT 26668	2009-05-05 09:08 PM
ksby now reporting 420 acres burned
COMMENT 26669	2009-05-05 09:12 PM
Just took some slow exposures from Hilda McIntyre Park (great vantage) shows clearly two clusters east and west with many hot spots. One time saw a giant flare up on East side. Few other shots in the photoset
COMMENT 26670	2009-05-05 09:13 PM
Sorry another shot at posting the slow exposure:
COMMENT 26671	2009-05-05 09:13 PM
I just took this shot a few minutes ago.
COMMENT 26672	2009-05-05 09:14 PM
Latest from Weather Service: SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA 854 PM PDT TUE MAY 5 2009 .UPDATE...A FLAT RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE KEEPS MOST THE AREA STABLE THIS EVENING. AT THE SURFACE...A NORTHERLY GRADIENT WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OVER THE AREA TONIGHT IN THE LOWER LEVEL NORTHWEST FLOW PATTERN. SURFACE GRADIENTS ARE TRENDING OFFSHORE THIS EVENING...WITH KSBA-KSMX SURFACE GRADIENTS PEAKING OUT NEAR 5.5 MB OUT OF THE NORTH. LATEST NAM-WRF SOLUTIONS SEEM IN LINE WITH CURRENT THINKING. NAM-WRF CONTINUES TO TREND THE SURFACE GRADIENTS STRONGLY OFFSHORE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS. THE NORTHWEST LOW-LEVEL FLOW PATTERN SHOULD ALLOW A MARINE LAYER TO PERSIST OVER THE CENTRAL COAST...WHILE AREAS SUCH AS SOUTHERN SANTA BARBARA AND VENTURA COUNTIES WILL REMAIN ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF THE FLOW PATTERN OVER THE MOUNTAINS. WITH THE COOL MARINE AIR ALONG THE CENTRAL COAST AND SANTA YNEZ VALLEY...SUNDOWNER WINDS WILL LIKELY PERSIST THROUGHOUT TONIGHT AND AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY. SIMILARLY...COOLER AND A MORE MOIST AIR MASS WITH A SERIES OF WEAK BOUNDARIES WILL PUSH SOUTH LATER TONIGHT AND AGAIN WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THE CENTRAL VALLEY. THIS AIR MASS WILL SLAM UP AGAINST THE NORTHERN SLOPES OF THE MOUNTAINS CREATING GUSTY WINDS THROUGH THE I-5 CORRIDOR. WINDS WILL INCREASE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AS A BIT MORE THERMAL SUPPORT IS PRESENT ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY MORNING FOR STRONGER WINDS.
COMMENT 26674	2009-05-05 10:25 PM
The Independent is doing a really excellent job of covering the fire: http://www.independent.com/news/jesusita-fire/
COMMENT 26676	2009-05-05 10:32 PM
Monte Vista Elementary and Hope Elementary will be closed on Wednesday.
COMMENT 26677	2009-05-05 11:04 PM
KEYT keeps saying the fire started at 1:45. The fire was already huge by then.
COMMENT 26678	2009-05-06 05:46 AM
I was just at Earl Warren. I counted 100+ fire engines from all over California. At least 5 news outlets from LA. Mood was calm and everyone was sleepy. New engines arriving every minute. Some fire in the hills about halfway up the hill. Not much smoke.
GOWEST	2009-05-06 06:19 AM
The TV news has been doing a good job regularly interviewing chiefs and other fire fighting officials. The word this morning is that the wind was calm and the fire didn't spread overnight. Things will be good if the wind does not pick up and blow toward the ocean. Unfortunately that is what they are expecting today. And it will be hot and dry. It sounds like the evacuations will remain for most of the day, and quite possibly into tomorrow.
COMMENT 26682	2009-05-06 06:50 AM
The patch of fire burning behind San Roque Canyon is still very active this morning, you can see the flames from around Hope and Foothill. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for today and is predicting 50-60mph gusts this afternoon, 20-40mph winds, and continued high winds tonight--high wind watch active until 9am Thursday. (goto wunderground.com) I'm thinking we'll see the aircraft hit this fire hard this morning to try to get it in some sort of controlled perimeter by this afternoon when the winds kick up. Buckle up folks, this is going to be a rough ride.
COMMENT 26690	2009-05-06 07:57 AM
anyone know of a good map that shows where the fire has reached so far?
COMMENT 26779	2009-05-06 03:39 PM
There is live streaming video of the fire activity from the rooftop of Make It Work (La Cumbre area) at www.makeitwork.com you can see the wind moving the camera. The power is also dipping slightly at our location.
COMMENT 27033	2009-05-07 11:17 AM
Footage I shot from the mesa of the fire yesterday afternoon around 4pm.. check it out it's pretty intense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdbzBVm__04

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