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Yahoo!Based on conversations with Independent writer Ray Ford on the fire lines, county public information officer William Boyer, and U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Kathy Good.
As of this writing, the Gap fire is burning 230-260 acres and growing. Two hundred and seventy firefighters have been dispatched from many different agencies including but not limited to Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Ventura, Los Angeles City and the U.S. Forest Service. Given the steepness of the terrain and lack of good access, the battle with the Gap Fire will be an aerial war. The fire command — a joint effort between the Forest Service and Santa Barbara County — has secured four helicopters which began dropping water on the flames at daybreak. In addition, four air tankers of various sizes and carrying capacity began dropping retardant at about 8 a.m. today. Two more tankers have been ordered. The chaparral is about 10 feet tall and thick, and hasn’t burned for 52 years, since the 1955 Refugio Fire. When it goes, it goes fast and explosively. Two of the copters belong to Santa Barbara County; the other two have been provided by Ventura.
Last night about 45 people were ordered evacuated from their homes on the mountain side of La Patera and Glenn Annie in Goleta. Residents living between Cathedral Oaks and Fairview have been put on evacuation alert, meaning they need to be prepared to move. As many as 200 homes are regarded as threatened. There have been no reports of injuries, no structures have been consumed, and none of the incident commanders are even discussing a percentage of containment yet. The big concern is that there will be a sundowner event this evening, spreading the flames closer to inhabited areas. At this writing, the fire remains about one mile away from the closest structure.
The first responders to the fire were two volunteers with was the San Marcos Volunteer Fire department, who then called CHP. Engines crew were quickly dispatched to the scene but had to sit, encountering difficulty finding any purchase in the forbidding terrain. By 8 pm., the dozers had moved in clearing a swath of 3,000 feet through the thick brush. At its widest, the fire line was 90 feet wide; at its narrowest, 30 feet. By 3 a.m., however, the fire had grown so hot and smoky that fire crews were forced to retreat.
Investigators suspect the fire may have started at an old shooting spot. Some reports indicate that fire fighters found a can of cold Coca Cola at the spot of origin, suggesting some human involvement in the fire. Volunteer fire fighters also reported they saw three cars drive by with bike racks and bicycles at about the same time. They did not say that they suspected the people in these vehicles as having started the fire.
The fire was very spotty, meaning that instead of one main body of flame there were smaller “smokers” strung out in a chain. When they came to a steep rise of sandstone, the flames’ descent down the mountain side was slowed, and the fire spread out laterally.
Working in favor of the firefighters is the light wind that prevailed Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. What winds there are have no prevailing direction, and remain light. “Nothing to shake the chaparral leaves,” said Ray Ford, “but that can change.” If it does, he suggested that the interface between Goleta and the mountains — of all south coast locales— might offer the best place to fight back a fire. The ranches and avocado orchards provide some sort of open space buffer. But at this writing, the fire seems to be moving slowly away from the Fairview area and towards Glenn Annie and Patera.
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I am wondering why the smoke is mostly white instead of brownish; are these the ashes in the air?
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To date, this has been the best writing on the fire. I had a three hour conversation with my neighbor as we watch the flames and we can talk about the steep terrain, the next days sundowner and the avocado orchard buffer...then walk inside the house and hear the same monotonous questions being asked by KEYT. Love Paula and CJ, but that was painful last night. And don't get me started on the coverage this morning on KEYT. Who decided it would be best to send the live truck up to the top of the pass instead of in Goleta? Nothing like a phoner with the PIO at the top of the newcast with the same video I watched for five straight hours the night before. Zzzzzzz. All told, they are still doing a better job than they did in 1990. Nick you looking for any broadcast work?
beachnsb (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Glass Factory is actually over on East Camino Cielo, so there's no way the fire could have started there. Did they mean a different shooting site?
Kratatoa (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Updates on evacs?
Radius?
We have friends in and around the area and we are downtown and have space.
My son and i saw the blaze last night from our house downtown.
It looked rather bibllical...ie a burning bush.
Rather scarry for an 11 year old.
And then we realized we have friends up that way.
We would like to do what we can,if there is a need.
Just can't imagine going through last year again.
My throat hurts just thinking about it.
Rough air.
Must be hell in Goleta today.
White smoke?
Thanks Ray.
Best Fire reporting EVER!!!!!
Ever!
Saved us from shotty info last year.
xo
emenzies (Elizabeth Menzies)
July 2, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree this is great coverage! Thank you, Independent!
IzzyBell (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Air quality is pretty good now in Winchester Canyon. There's a light breeze but the smoke's not coming toward us. The cars and plants have a covering of ash on them though. The heavy smoke is covering the view of the flames, but when the wind shifts you can see several areas burning pretty brightly. Constant sound of helicopters coming and going. And that's a good thing!!
goletasue (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A lot of smoke now (flying into Goleta), now also brownish. Looks like there is some wind now that pushes the fire down the canyon(s) towards Glen Annie. Looks like the fire is getting bigger.
What are they going to do tonight, when they can't fly, once it gets dark?
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the news. Just tuned in to the press conference a bit late (KCOY.com) but must have missed the fire chief and only heard the administrators reassurances instead of a progress report. I'm impressed with your coverage. It's more than the incident site too where I can't tell what's changed really.
paulasteve (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm at work out here near Glen Annie and 101. Air quality seems fine, but the view of the mtns is scary. Crossing my fingers it stays calm and the wind doesn't pick up.
ccmae4 (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Glass Factory is indeed on *East* Camino Cielo... here is a map...
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=santa%...
Seems to me that the fire is escalating... smoke getting worse, it is working down the mountain. Pray for no wind!
snugspout (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They just elected a new pope?
bugmenot (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just had large chunks of white ash hit our house and car on Figueroa.
Is the fire contained?
Is there a town meeting tonight in Goleta or SB?
What can we do to help?
emenzies (Elizabeth Menzies)
July 2, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looking from the Goleta/Fairview area at the eastern side of the GAP fire, we see large flames running down this side of the canyon. I believe, this would be the Wylie canyon. No helicopters on this side. It doesn't look good.
How about that good old 'Tanker1' - the DC10? Is it time to call yet?
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are folks who work in the immediate area being alerted?
What specific measures have been taken?
Quote:
...."flames running down the side of the canyon...Wylie canyon"...
Does not sound at all good.
I am looking at out of my upstairs window in Figueroa.
Like I said before ..."biblical"
emenzies (Elizabeth Menzies)
July 2, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are some huge flames visible from here (Storke/101) but we haven't been told anything yet. Wind is still calm in the trees around the building.
ccmae4 (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
0% containment.
What might there strategy be? Maybe - if they can't control the fire through the air during the day, then they might have to let the fire come down and fight it from the ground during the night? Just a thought (remembering the Zaca strategy).
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Re: The 10 Tanker DC-10, They are flying out of Sacto at this point, My Brother is the Navigator, I called him this morning he said they are too busy in the northern half of the state, Tried to bribe him to get slightly off course and make a drop over Goleta, but even the offer of Super Rica did no good.
Hope for onshores all night.
2na (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Goleta eastern side of fire - the flames are climbing to the highest peak towards Goleta.
GoletaResident (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am away from my home but I live in Rancho Embarcadero, in the hills above The Bacara...Just north of Winchester Canyon...any chance the fire might spread there? Thanks
turningthepage (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
massive power failure throughout town, with spotty internet access. We will keep plug(ging on the updates (I"mtyping this on my phone).
In answer to your question, my understanding is that whole area is in play... Better informed posters please chime in.
randy (Randy Campbell)
July 2, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Downtown mostly back on. Hope Ranch out.
Reported here: but no details yet: http://www.sce.com/PowerOutageCenter/
Is there an electrical substation in glen annie canyon? if goleta's power feeds through the fire area, how long to re-route it?
bugmenot (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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