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Yahoo!As of noon Friday, the 4th of July, the number of firefighters engaged in the battle against the Gap Fire had grown to 800 — up from 350 the day before. The new arrivals have been drawn from blazes in Northern California because Santa Barbara’s Gap Fire has been designated as the top fire fighting priority in the state. Likewise, the number of aircraft deployed in the battle had mushroomed to 20, up from six the day before, according to William Boyer, county public information officer. Nearly 5,000 people were evacuated from 1,600 homes Wednesday evening. Thus far, there’s no confirmation that any actual homes have been consumed, but Fire Department spokesperson Eli Iskow said several “out buildings,” a mobile home, and an indeterminate number of cars may have been destroyed.
Thursday night, the fire was pushed down the mountainsides toward Goleta by gusting sundowner winds, where it was met with a bevy of engines assigned to protect structures. While firefighters succeeded in keeping the flames — some reaching heights in excess of 200 to 300 feet — from consuming the outer limits of Goleta’s developed perimeter, they could not keep the fire from spreading out both to the east and the west. At last count, the Gap Fire measured 5,400 acres — up from 1,400 at this time Thursday — and spread from Ellwood to the east to one small spot fire near Old San Marcos Pass Road to the west. And to the north, Iskow confirmed that the fire came uncomfortably close to crossing over Camino Cielo Road. “It bumped it pretty hard,” Iskow said, “but it did not jump it.”
Paul Wellman
Iskow explained that firefighters would spend much of today, July 4, preparing lines between the orchards and the mountains so that the flames creeping down the mountains again tonight will find less fuel. Later in the day, he said, firefighters will focus their efforts on the Haney property just north of Camino Cielo in an effort to prevent the inferno from making its way back up the mountainside. If that were to happen, the fear is that it would head down slope toward Cold Spring Tavern. In addition, the fear is that it could spread more easily in any direction.
While Boyer said 20 aircraft had been deployed against the fire, Iskow could not confirm that number. Iskow said that a DC-10 had been ordered, but did not know when it would actually arrive or become engaged in the campaign. DC-10s are among the largest air tankers deployed in forest fires.
Paul Wellman
It’s all but inevitable that more evacuations will be ordered later today, as the evening winds gather and give fresh nocturnal life to the flames. Already, County Supervisor Janet Wolf, who represents the Goleta Valley, has packed up her car with clothes, papers, and photographs as her home has been placed on evacuation alert.
Last night nearly 100 Goleta residents spent the night sleeping on Red Cross cots in one of San Marcos High School’s two gymnasiums. The Red Cross put 200 cots out Thursday might and had another 100 in storage in case the demand required it. Some of the people who took advantage of Red Cross hospitality said they were treated like guests at a hotel. For breakfast, those assembled dined on scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, and biscuits courtesy of the Salvation Army. Afterward, the nearby Albertson’s grocery store donated free bottled water accompanied by a delivery of ice.
One mother noted that her kids were given both a late night snack and stuffed animals to keep them comfortable and cozy. Some who spent the night packed very little despite advance warning. “We had two days to figure out what stuff to bring,” said one woman, “but we were in denial.” Others brought almost everything they put their hands on. A North Patterson family managed to bring along a 50-year collection of vintage plastic horses, the computer hard drive containing key family documents, and a closet full of clothes for one daughter.
Some went to the shelter without being warned. Others refused to leave even with sheriff’s officers and National Guardsmen knocking on their doors.
John Dillon of Rancho del Ciervo said his wife tried to persuade two elderly neighbors to leave, but they simply refused. And in some instances, some family members complied with the order while others stayed behind to protect their property. Lisa Ostendorf and her two kids, Ashley and Ryan, were sufficiently spooked by the sight of flames twice as tall as the 100-foot high power lines just across the adjoining avocado orchard from their home. But her husband would not leave. “He had to stay until the flames were licking the front door,” Ostendorf said.
Many people brought along their pets, which were kept outside in a separate area. In all, there were nine dogs, four cats and two rabbits. Bob Muhr spent the night on a cot next to his wife of 38 years, Joan. “It’s a heck of a way to spend your anniversary,” he said. “But I took her to a heck of a nice place.”
In the meantime, county health officials will be distributing free face masks at Camino Real Marketplace, near Costco, today to help residents protect against the invidious assault of invisible air born particulates carried by the clouds of smoke. The masks are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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DC-10...Tanker1...on it's way - oh boy, we are the number 1 fire priority in the state! Considering what's happening in Northern Cal, that is scary.
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
People walking by, raising their head for a second, looking at the smoke that is visible. "What is the big deal?", they are thinking. Sleeping people. Then, suddenly, things happen and they are 'surprised'...
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can someone please describe what the DC-10 does exactly. I have heard many "theories" but I would like to know the facts. How high? How far? Path? How often?
Dumping what sort of mixture? What are the effects?
I am so glad it is on it's way.
I have been in the middle of the smoke and ash and night time flaire and it is intensely frightening. the flames licking the mountain side. The amber sky. Hot air. Choking smoke and debris.It was a lot like a tornado just out from the center. The awesome power of the finger of God.
I will have to go to Patterson (south) to check on my mom again.
Having a hard time getting friends to come in town and stay with us.
All of my thoughts and all my prayers go to all the folks working the fire.
THANK YOU!!!!!!
emenzies (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From: http://www.wildlandfire.com/hotlist/show...
"SBC just dispatched 3 immediate need type 2 engines to east camino cielo"
- that's on the other side of 154, isn't it?
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DC-10 is the largest fire fighting airplane currently available. There is a Boing 747, but it hasn't been "approved" yet. During last year's Zaca fire the DC-10 was finally ordered to fight it; it drops fire retardant (something on the scale of 1 mile) and follows a smaller 'lead plane' for navigation. It's not good to fly into canyons, as it is too large, but highway 154 as well as camino cielo should be straight targets to drop on (being in Goleta, personally I am thinking about dropping onto Cathedral Oaks...but that is probably not realistic...).
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a former firefighter, I have grudging respect for the Air Corps; they provide a vital and important function in wild land fire management.
But they ain't the Cavalry, and too often in these discussions I've seen the attitude that with (or without) the bombers all hope is gained (or lost).
t's the people, not the hardware.
Better to have planes & heli- than not, but proper management, seasoning, and leadership, a bit of luck with weather (which we have generally had up to this point), and luck in general, is what it will take to beat back this fiery scourge.
binky (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DC-10 has mad three drops so far. It's very cool to watch if fly overhead. Hope it's making a difference.
ecaminocielo (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why doesn't the forest service have controlled burns on the hillside above Santa Barbara, Goleta, Monticito, and Carpinteria during the rainy season? We could maintain a good fire-break this way, and probably save money compared to the all-out battle taking place now.
pnortonsb (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If it doesn't burn down the city, the "best" future fire protection is happening right now; land that has been burned, won't burn again for a while. Not nice to read, but true.
"Nature's fire breaks"...
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
3 drops over East Camilo Cielo? - nothing was visible from Goleta.
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvBRWTumo...
Please click on the above link to watch the promo video
presentation of the Evergreen 747 Supertanker
in action, as well as the costs of not using it.
Thanks to our foot-dragging Forest Service,
the US currently doesn't have one.
The Supertanker sure isn't the Cavalry.
The Cavalry were only sent in at the last possible hour, after massive, expensive destruction and loss of lives occurred.
DC 10's and the Supertankers need to be called
in FIRST, and the firefighters ten seconds later.
This is not an either/or situation.
Does anyone remember the Painted Cave Fire of
1990 that destroyed 500 home in almost the same
area of Goleta? What's the definition of insanity?
Anyone with personal ties to our Governor Arnold,
or Maria Shriver, please call them and ask them
to reach out to Canada, today. And send them
this link. As the 8th largest economic power in
the world, we can do better than this.
Santa Barbara Citizen.
rox814 (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Last year's Zaca fire (burning on the other side of the mountains) was a warning - this year's Gap fire seems to be a reminder. Anyone mentioned God before? - "...he who has eyes to see, see...he who has ears to hear...hear"...till then, we pray to our new holiness "Mr. Please No Wind"...
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi, This is slightly off topic but since we are packing and preparing where we live - we are trying to find the owner. A dog Kingsley showed up at our house in Mission Canyon and we have tried calling the number on the tag and the vet. He comes from Shoreline drive so we don't know if his owner is at a BBQ in the area (Michael Bend). If anyone knows him or the dog - please see the Craigs List ad and call with description. We don't want to take him to the animal shelter as they are probably overwhelmed as it is. Thanks!
kitsune (anonymous profile)
July 4, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is sad.
My wife and I have lived through two horrible fires in the San Diego County area and it impacted us more than ever would have guessed even though our home was not damaged.
We were planning on coming up to SB next weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary, but I think out of respect to the residents of the area, we will postpone our trip.
I really hope they get this and all of the wildfires in California contained soon. It's really depressing to think of all of this beautiful wilderness and possibly some homes (before it's done) burning to the ground.
Good luck and my family and I wish everyone in the area and all of the firefighters on the line good fortune in dealing with this thing.
sdjase (anonymous profile)
July 5, 2008 at 6:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For a map with all of the current evacuation areas, visit maps.google.com, and search for "Gap Fire Evacuations." I have created a map with that name, that I am updating with the evacuation order and warning areas, extent of the fire, information kiosks, and other points of interest. Feel free to leave comments on the map if there are any features you would like to see.
ErikaB (anonymous profile)
July 5, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The direct link is:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&a...
ErikaB (anonymous profile)
July 5, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice map - especially the road closure points.
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 5, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what anemometer is close to the fire, that is still functional?
darrenin2008 (anonymous profile)
July 5, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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