Cave Fire Now 100% Contained
Los Padres National Forest officials announced Saturday the Cave Fire is 100 percent contained. The Cave Fire began November 25 and burned a total of 3,126 acres.
There were no residences damaged or injuries to firefighters.
Los Padres National Forest officials issued a statement thanking local fire cooperators for their support and shared commitment to protecting our communities.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Update by edhat staff
The recent rainstorms have hampered firefighting efforts of the Cave Fire and the containment remains at 90%.
Officials initially announced they planned to have the Cave Fire 100% contained by Wednesday, December 4, unless rainfall affected their progress. The acreage remains at 3,126 acres.
County Fire Department spokesperson Mike Eliason reports rain has hampered efforts in reaching remote and rugged terrain to complete containment line. Therefore, full containment will be another week, December 13 or slightly sooner.
In the meantime, Caltrans is working to clear clogged drainage culverts on Highway 154 Wednesday morning following a brief but intense rainfall in the recent burn area.
Motorists are encouraged to use caution and slow down while driving through the area recently charred in the Cave Fire.
Photo: Mike Eliason / SBCFD
Update by edhat staff
The Cave Fire is now 90% contained with 54 personnel assigned and working the incident.
Los Padres National Forest Firefighters are working to extinguish stubborn “smokes” in an unburned portion of the Cave Fire with thick brush. Additional smoke might still be visible for a period of time.
Los Padres National Forest FF’s work to extinguish stubborn “smokes” in an unburned portion of the #CaveFire. Remember that additional smokes might still be visible for a period of time. Note how thick the brush is that they are working in.@EliasonMike pic.twitter.com/me2Xo6EC6U
— Daniel Bertucelli (@SBCFireInfo) December 1, 2019
Update by edhat staff
The Cave Fire is 85% contained with full containment expected by Wednesday if rain doesn't hamper firefighting efforts.
Mike Eliason with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department reports the 85% containment will reach 100% by December 4. If the rain affects the burn area, full containment is scheduled by December 13.
Caltrans hopes to have Highway 154 open by Monday. There are 50 firefighters on the scene continuing to mop up.

Update by edhat staff
Update by edhat staff
The Cave Fire is 40% contained at a revised 3,126 acres due to updated GPS and mapping.
Approximately 300 firefighters will stay assigned and committed to the fire to continue to increase containment.
Snow has fallen at the 3,500 foot level on the fire footprint atop E. Camino Cielo early Thanksgiving morning. A light dusting atop used fire hose & on charred chaparral is a rare sight for the Santa Barbara South Coast, reports Mike Eliason.
The Los Padres National Forest along with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department would like to remind the public, that as containment efforts continue, the public might see light smoke and smoldering materials in the interior portions of the fire perimeter.
"We would like to reassure the community that we are aware of those issues and have approximately 300 firefighters assigned to the Cave Fire to address any issues that may arise," reports Captain Daniel Bertucelli.
#CaveFire- UPDATE- Snow falling at the 3,500 foot level on the fire footprint atop E. Camino Cielo Thanksgiving morning. A light dusting atop used fire hose & on charred chaparral is a rare sight for the Santa Barbara South Coast. pic.twitter.com/gwae0Fw9I1
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) November 28, 2019
#CaveFire- UPDATE- Snow has fallen at the 3,500 foot level on the fire footprint atop E. Camino Cielo early Thanksgiving morning. A light dusting atop used fire hose & on charred chaparral is a rare sight for the Santa Barbara South Coast. pic.twitter.com/xpDaCrOzPM
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) November 28, 2019
Update by County of Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, in consultation with fire agencies and other public safety officials, has announced that Evacuation Orders and Debris Flow Evacuation Warnings are lifted for all areas in Santa Barbara County. Residents are advised to stay alert to their surroundings and changing conditions.
Hwy 154 from Cathedral Oaks Road/Hwy 192 to Painted Cave Road will remain closed other than to residents of Hwy 154. East Camino Cielo Road from Painted Cave Road to Gibraltar Road is closed due to continued fire rehabilitation work in the area.
The evacuation center at Goleta Valley Community Center will close. For questions concerning animal sheltering, please call (805) 681-4332.
The Emergency Operations Center and Call Center will close at 1 p.m. today. Evacuated residents returning home who have a need for wheelchair or other specialized transport should contact their routine paratransit provider.
Photo: Mike Eliason
Update by edhat staff
Officials report the rain helped firefighting efforts and the evacuations should be lifted on Wednesday.
At 11:30 p.m. Tuesday officials removed evacuation warning for the area North of Foothill Road between Ontare and Gibraltar Road. Santa Barbara County Public Works reported the San Roque and San Antonio basins on Wednesday morning.
The Cave Fire areas received up to an inch of rain in the past 24 hours which significantly helped firefighters battle the blaze. Mike Eliason with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department reports 20% containment of the fire is expected to grow significantly today. The total acreage is 4,367.
Firefighters will remain on scene to extinguish "stubborn smoke" as resources begin demobilization today. Incident Command is reporting good progress on the fire fight with repopulation plans to be evaluated as all evacuees should be in their homes later today in time for Thanksgiving, reports Eliason.
Rain is still forecasted and the colder overnight storm could actually bring a slight chance of snow near the higher elevation of the fire, if you could believe that.

Evacuations
Mandatory Evacuations
- Evacuation order boundaries expanded from Ontare Road to Patterson Ave. north of Cathedral Oaks, south of Camino Cielo.
Evacuation Warning
- West of Hwy 154 to El Sueno, below Cathedral Oaks to Calle Real.
- Patterson Avenue/Anderson Lane and Ontare Road, between the 3500 and 3300 block of State Street and down through Las Positas Road, and south of East Camino Cielo to the ocean.
Road Closures
- Highway 154 from SR-246 to SR-192/Foothill Road
- Gibraltar Road
- La Vista Road at Foothill Road
- Debra Drive at Antone Road
- Via Chaparral at Cathedral Oaks
- San Marcos Road at Cathedral Oaks
Power Outages
Parts of southern Santa Barbara County are experiencing power outages due to impacts from the Cave Fire. This outage is not related to a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Outages have been reported in unincorporated areas between the cities of Goleta and Santa Barbara, along Highway 154 through Mission Canyon, and parts of Summerland and Carpinteria.
The SCE Outage Map can be viewed here.
Shelter
Goleta Valley Community Center
5679 Hollister Road. Goleta
Animal Sheltering: For Assistance, call Hotline: 805-681-4332
Small Animals:
Goleta Animal Shelter, 5473 Overpass Rd.
Large Animals:
Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara
Emergency Contact Numbers
- Emergency Call Center: (833) 688-5551
- 211 or outside (805) area code, call (800) 400-1572
- Animal Evacuation Assistance: (805) 681-4332
- Southern California Edison: 1-800-611-1911
Do NOT call 911 unless there is an emergency
Update by County of Santa Barbara
Public safety officials have determined that there is a risk for potential debris flows in and below the Cave Fire burn area. National Weather Service has predicted rainfall Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, with isolated thunderstorms that can increase rainfall intensity. Residents are advised to prepare an evacuation kit and a plan to leave.
If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any time, do not wait, leave the area and move outside the Fire Evacuation Order and Debris Flow Evacuation Warning area. If you live or are near creeks and streams, be aware that waterways may experience high flows and can rise quickly. Flooding impacts may be experienced throughout the county, but are a higher risk and may be observed below the Thomas, Sherpa, Alamo and Whittier burn areas.
If a debris flow occurs, and it is unsafe to leave, or you are unable to leave, go to high ground. Stay alert to changing conditions and follow the instructions of public safety officials. The Cave Fire Evacuation Order remains in place. To access the County’s interactive map, go to www.ReadySBC.org.
The public is encouraged to avoid going out in the storm and to stay off roads. As a precaution, do not walk through flood waters; six inches of moving water may knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 for help.
Do not drive into flooded roadways or around barricades. Water may be deeper than it appears and may hide hazards, such as sharp objects, washed out road surfaces, electrical wires, chemicals, etc. Twelve inches of water can float a car or small SUV. For additional information, call the County’s Call Center at (833) 688-5551.
Update by edhat staff
Update by edhat staff
A section of mandatory evacuations has been reduced for the Cave Fire that's now reached 4,262 acres. It's at 0% containment and there are no reported injuries. One outbuilding has been destroyed but no residences have been affected.
Officials held a press conference at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday and stated the current firefighting conditions are the "toughest in the world" due to low humidity, several extreme wind events, and dry fuel. The fire crossed over Highway 154 in several places and the roadway remains closed.
However, the mandatory evacuations have been reduced from Fairview to Patterson Ave on the western boundary. The evacuation will be lifted by noon and residents are welcome to return home in this area, although some sections are without power as requested by firefighters.
The rest of the evacuations will stay put for some time, said Sheriff Bill Brown. Approximately 5,481 people evacuated on Tuesday with 324 people staying in their home.
Rain is expected to reach Santa Barbara on Tuesday evening and should help diminish the fire, although officials are concerned about it creating hazards for the firefighters and potentially small rockslides on Highway 154. Officials do not feel the amount of rain expected will cause a mudslide.
Update by edhat staff
The Cave Fire has reached 4,100 acres and is 0% contained as of Tuesday morning.
There are 600 firefighters on the scene and no reported injuries or structures damaged. The evacuation orders remain the same from Monday evening, according to Mike Eliason of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
At 10:30 p.m. on Monday, Santa Barbara County proclaimed a local emergency. Read the emergency proclamation here.
A press conference will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday to discuss ongoing firefighter efforts.
Update by edhat staff
An evacuation warning has been issued for the areas from Highway 154 to El Sueno and Cathedral Oaks to Calle Real, according to the Sheriff's Office. An additional Evacuation Warnings is being issued for the area North of Foothill Road and Ontare to Gibraltar Road.
Due to changing conditions of the fire, the Evacuation ORDER is now from Highway 154 to Fairview, and Highway 154 to Ontare, north of Cathedral Oaks Road. The evacuation map can be viewed here.
As of 9:30 p.m., the estimated acres burned is reportedly over 3,100 acres.
Roadways remained closed in the area.
Update by edhat staff
Mandatory evacuations have been extended to north of Cathedral Oaks between Highway 154 and Patterson Ave.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office just announced the evacuation at 6:55 p.m. Monday.
The first mandatory evacuation order still stands, from Painted Cave to Camino Cielo and Highway 154 east to Ontare Road.
A second fire is burning near the Cave Fire has reportedly jumped the Windy Gap. Early reports indicate the fire began around 6:25 p.m. near 1960 N. San Marcos Road. It's being reported this second fire has reached Highway 154 and jumped the Windy Gap and is burning above the Bridge to Nowhere.
CHP is reporting a large group of cars and bystanders are blocking the roadway for emergency personnel and evacuees. If you do not need to be in the area, stay away.
An evacuation map can be found here.
Shelter Location:
Goleta Valley Community Center
5679 Hollister Road. Goleta
Animal Sheltering: For Assistance, call Hotline: 805-681-4332
Small Animals:
Goleta Animal Shelter, 5473 Overpass Rd.
Large Animals:
Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara
Update by edhat staff
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for the Painted Cave community as a 15-acre brush fire, named the Cave Fire, grows.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Los Padres National Forest Fire Department, and Montecito Fire Department are on scene near Painted Cave and E. Camino Cielo. Crews are battling a wind-driven fire that sparked around 4:13 p.m. Monday.
Strong wind is in the forecast tonight and it's encouraged that residents are vigilant and aware of what is happening. Evacuation orders can quickly change.
California Highway Patrol have closed Highway 154 at SR-246 and Foothill Road as well as Cathedral Oaks at S San Marcos Rd.
#CaveFire- Burning in the Los Padres NF on E. Camino Cielo near Painted Cave. pic.twitter.com/Ar0uHEGF3c
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) November 26, 2019
Update by Office of Emergency Management
5:42 p.m., November 25, 2019
Due to the fire in the Panted Cave area, an Evacuation order is issued for the area between Highway 154 and Ontare, and below East Camino Cielo and Foothill road. more information will follow as it becomes available.
Debido al incendio en el área de Painted Cave, se emitio una orden de evacuación para el área entre la Carretera 154 y Ontare, y debajo de la East Camino Cielo y Foothill Rd. Más información se proporcionará cuando esté disponible.
#CaveFire- Burning in the Los Padres NF on E. Camino Cielo near Painted Cave. pic.twitter.com/gOr9uS0Swa
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) November 26, 2019
Reported by Roger the Scanner Guy
Brush fire off Camino De Cielo at Painted Cave. SB County Fire Department sending a full response.
Photos by edhat readers
Cave Fire view from Decker's Building in Goleta (Photo: Robert Bernstein)
2:43am from Painted Cave (Photos: Lynn)
Cathedral Oaks from Highway 154 (Photos: John Wiley)
Photos by Patti Gutshall
Photos by Christian Puga
Upper State Street by Beverly Cross
View from the Turnpike shopping center
Taken along Calle Real near iHop. Nov. 26th; 12:30 p.m. (By Chuck Cagara)
162 Comments
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Nov 25, 2019 04:25 PMEast Camino Cielo posted CHP Website too..
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Nov 25, 2019 04:26 PMCopter 308 responding now.
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Nov 25, 2019 04:27 PMEdison camera shows it's blowing south and laying down
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Nov 25, 2019 04:27 PMBatt:513, Engines 13,14,15, Water Tender 32, Dozer 2, Los Padres 41..
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Nov 25, 2019 04:29 PMThanks for the info.
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Nov 25, 2019 04:29 PMA few initial pics from APS - https://photos.app.goo.gl/RoVvAR2tzBaDpKJk8
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Nov 25, 2019 06:04 PM6pm now, hoping for some edhat witness news!
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Nov 25, 2019 06:08 PMWere back I haven't been totally following as I do not have all the freq.'s I need watching others mostly and sticking with local Santa Barbara stuff which is kind of weird. There are alot of vehicle accidents, a gang fight Haley at Milpas, a naked guy running in the 200 Block of West Cota..
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Nov 25, 2019 06:10 PMGang Types caught hiding on O'Rileys auto parts..I heard a 2nd alarm on the fire awhile back and we have alot of help on scene some responding on another report not mine 25 Acres and growing possible evacuations.
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Nov 25, 2019 06:12 PMTotally reminds me of the Painted Cave Fire..They are calling it the Cave Fire.
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Nov 25, 2019 06:14 PMNot as windy as the Paint fire, not as hot, and rain tomorrow, may it come soon!!
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Nov 25, 2019 06:23 PMYep, it’s a lot like the Painted Cave Fire Scenario. We’ll see how it plays out tonight. I could see it from CVS in San Roque
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Nov 25, 2019 06:26 PMYep. I’m glad we have some precip coming.
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Nov 25, 2019 06:17 PMany body confirm the evacuation posted about half hour ago....area between hwy 154 and Ontare and below East Camino to Foothill?
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Nov 25, 2019 06:28 PMWind mostly light and variable [email protected], favoring from the West especially in gusts about 10mph. This leads me to hope that as with some previous fires in that area we'll be spared the strong down-slope winds that would most threaten developed areas near town. Absolutely need to keep a close eye on this overnight if you're not already evacuating. The fire footprint from here has at least doubled in width over the last hour. Can't tell how far it's come down slope. If Edhat gets overwhelmed by visitor traffic and I come across anything important I'll post it to the google-hosted (less likely to overwhelm) SBitZ.NET (nothing new there when I looked half an hour ago). Could be a long night for those of us following this.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:37 PMThanks, John. I finally got online here.
WTF w/online evac warnings?! "Due to the fire in the Panted Cave area, an Evacuation order is issued for the area between Highway 154 and Ontare, and below East Camino Cielo and Foothill road."
Below Foothill?! Not that I've heard. Yes, I'm tense. Yes, I'm ranting. I'm "below Foothill." Yes I have a go bag & my car is ready. From a message to family: "what kind of frigging sense does THIS make?!! Oookay, "below Foothill" ... Holes. Even after Thomas fire & the debris flow. I've WORKED fires in this department..."
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Nov 25, 2019 06:29 PMCounty of Santa Barbara website has official twitter updates on the fire - yes, mandatory evacuation Ontare to 154 and other areas -bookmark the county website best place to get quickly changing information.
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Nov 25, 2019 06:46 PM#CaveFire - ongoing twitter reports
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Nov 25, 2019 06:50 PMPower going off and on,,
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Nov 25, 2019 06:55 PMHopefully it's a back fire I'm seeing very near the Salvar Rd. bridge ("to nowhere") at San Marcos Foothills. Just saw a flash in Eastern part of that actively burning area that coincided w/power surge. Just saw a helo water drop nearer to the bridge, so if it was back fire it may be getting out of control. Suggest you get eyes on if possible unless you've evacuated. We're packing.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:05 PMNo, spot fire.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:01 PMSanta Ynez Peak webcam shows over a mile of fire on its western flank. (https://www.rntl.net/santabarbaracountyfirecams.htm)
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Nov 25, 2019 07:03 PMAnother helo drop, fire on the Cathedral Oaks side of the bridge now. Edhat's slowing down so if this doesn't get on quickly I'll switch to SBitZ.NET
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Nov 25, 2019 07:04 PMWind here almost calm, but smoke at the bridge is moving around looking like ~10 gusts with variable directions. Lots of power hits.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:05 PMGoing to be a long night - lots of wind on the mountain - at least not much here near La Cumbre and Foothill.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:09 PMThe smoke plume from the Mission looks like Mount St. Helens. It’s going to be a long bad night, and hopefully we won’t lose any homes. Take care everyone and think about being evac ready. Remember when the Painted Cave Fire jumped 101? If winds get really bad we might see that happen again.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:10 PMApparently down to San Antonio Creek road. Winds are strong.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:22 PMVery wide fire line at SM Foothills now, lots of power hits, more helo water drops, and it that's not enough there's a big burn on the hills just above the Eastern part of SM F. I just took some pix, I'll send Ed and maybe post to SBitZ.NET too so they go on quickly.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:41 PMThanks so much, all of you & especially John Wiley. I feel better informed here than even KEYT. Gonna go pack more.
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Nov 25, 2019 07:49 PMi was just at the Lawn Bowling Parking lot above Harry’s. The fire is definitely moving East, and the smoke plume is blowing due south over the city to the ocean. If sundowners develop later then it could drop to multiple locations above Foothill. Everyone need to be alert because this could turn into the Painted Cave scenario.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:06 PMAccording to @engineco16 on Twitter, fire is now 2,850 acres now and "The fire is down to at least Via Gaitero per aerial footage. "
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Nov 25, 2019 08:09 PMwinds are projected to die at 10 pm. Hold tight everyone.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:10 PMhttps://www.windy.com/34.459/-119.785?namConus,950h,34.454,-119.794,16
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Nov 25, 2019 08:16 PMThe Wundermap at the weather underground, https://www.wunderground.com/wundermap , is still showing temps in the 60s in the foothills. Stay safe.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:37 PMMay it come to be!
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Nov 25, 2019 08:10 PMPosted more pix to SBitZ.NET
Looks like they've beat back the front near the bridge, but it's still roaring in the hills above the NE corner of San Marcos Foothills.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:24 PMSE portion has flared some in the last few minutes. The fire above the NE looks smaller at the moment but the smoke is mostly obscuring it with some tall flames showing through it. Based on where the power line patrol helo was flying to follow the line up from the 154/Foothill substation awhile back, it's getting near that so we may see a larger blackout.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:26 PMMy daughter at Westmont said it’s really windy on campus. I’m picking up some breezes here in the upper east
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Nov 25, 2019 08:32 PMKEYT is reporting Montecito has wind gusts of 82 MPH! (That is not the case where the fire is - but still, way too close for comfort)
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Nov 26, 2019 08:59 AMWinds clocked at 82mph at Westmont along Barker Pass Rd.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:33 PMSome useful twitter handles with good info: https://twitter.com/ai6yrham https://twitter.com/sbsheriff https://twitter.com/barkflight https://twitter.com/SB_Updater
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Nov 25, 2019 08:40 PMThanks. No time to monitor those right now, so I'd appreciate if you could post the most relevant stuff.
Comment has been deleted by edhat
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Nov 25, 2019 08:42 PMI'm seeing a new flare on a steep slope further East and a bit closer to Foothill from the prior hotspot NE of San Marcos Foothills. Sure glad of the two helos attacking this. Also several long lines of fire vehicles up the hill in two lines to the East of the active burning.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:45 PMThanks John.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:54 PMI just posted a gMaps link to where that eastern flare seems to be. As I typed that, a new flare poppud up a little further East.
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Nov 25, 2019 08:58 PMOops, meant to say posted that link on SBitZ.NET
About to put new pix there too...
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Nov 25, 2019 09:02 PMI’m just glad it’s 9pm and we don’t have +80F temps with 20mph sustained winds in the upper east. I’m beginning to feel that Mother Nature May have some compassion on our city tonight.
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Nov 25, 2019 09:06 PMOfficial auto-updating mandatory evacuation map from SB County Office of Emergency Management: https://sbcoem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ff627ef192de40b6b19c7c2718f59028
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Nov 25, 2019 09:12 PMSpot fire on OSM, power lines arcing.
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