Jesusita Fire

It's a shock to see Santa Barbara in flames yet again this year. Yesterday the fire started at 1:45pm. From Montecito, where I first noticed the smoke, it looked like a small fire off in the distance and not a big deal. But as the winds picked up, combined with the heat of the day, the fire has become much worse than expected. As of this morning, the fire seemed under control and contained on three sides. We were expecting 65 mph winds today, and around 2-3 p.m. the situation took a negative turn. This photo was taken from the 154 with my iPhone at about 5:00 p.m. today. Currently the cause of the fire is under investigation.

At the moment, there is 0% containment and over 300 acres have burned. Many areas have a mandatory evacuation. If you know of friends or members of the community who have been removed from their home, please let me know. We have an email system through the real estate community that reaches over 1100 people & I'll do what I can do help and find resources.

Per KEYT News (stay updated at www.keyt.com):

The public can call the Jesusita Call Center at 805-681-5197.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department has issued the following MANDATORY evacuation order for the following areas due to the changing conditions of the Jesusita Fire:

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS

•The mandatory evacuation order has been expanded to include: San Roque and Foothill Road South to State Street (Western boundary), from State Street to Micheltorena, Micheltorena North to the end of the road extending to Alameda Padre Serra.

•The overall mandatory evacuation order areas now includes: Morada Lane (Western boundary) and Ontare North to Camino Cielo, Foothill Road and Morada to San Roque, San Roque South to State Street (Western boundary), State Street to Micheltorena, Micheltorena North to the end of the road, extending to Alameda Padre Serra, Alameda Padre Serra East to Sycamore Canyon Road (Eastern boundary), North on Sycamore Canyon to HWY 192 West to El Cielito.

EVACUATION WARNINGS

•The evacuation warning area has expanded and now includes: La Cumbre Road (Western boundary) to State Street, State Street to De La Vina, De La Vina to Anapamu, Anapamu to Anacapa, Anacapa South to De La Guerra, De La Guerra to Milpas, Milpas to Montecito Street, Montecito Street to Alameda Padre Serra

ROAD CLOSURES are in effect at:
•Mission Canyon and Tunnel Roads
•Montrose and Tunnel Roads
•Las Encinitas and Mission Canyon Roads
•Alameda Padre Serra and Los Olivos
•Mountain Drive and Mission Canyon Road
•Laguna St. at Los Olivos
•Los Olivos and Garden Street
•Foothill Road (Highway 192) and Mission Canyon Road

What do “Evacuation Warning/Advisory” and “Mandatory Evacuation Order” Mean?

Evacuation Warning/Advisory: Residents are strongly encouraged to make arrangements to leave their homes and seek shelter out of the advisory area. Evacuation Warnings/Advisories can turn into a Mandatory Evacuation at a moment’s notice. There is no set rule as to how long a Warning/Advisory cold take. There is always the possibility that a situation may require an immediate mandatory evacuation without an evacuation warning/advisory. Please make sure that you prepare to evacuate at a moment’s notice having your belongings ready, including pets and/or other animals. Know the routes you wish to take, by pre planning. Information as to how to plan for an evacuation can be obtained by calling the Red Cross at (805) 450-5921. If you leave your home during an Evacuation Warning/Advisory, you may not be allowed back to your home if it turns into a Mandatory Evacuation.

Mandatory Evacutation: Evacuate your home immediately. Once a mandatory evacuation has been ordered please evacuate your home immediately.
•Once you have left your home you will not be allowed back until the danger has passed.
•Emergency vehicles will be entering the area. Obey all directions given by law enforcement and fire personnel.

A huge amount of gratitude to our firefighters...our thoughts will be with them tonight and throughout this fire.