Firefighters Cope With Changing Winds

You guys have the best news on the fire, thanks, please update as freqently as possible. What is up with keyt, they need to rename it "the history channel" And whey can't they give some air time to this fire? Let's get some containment on this fire today. Hope to see that dc 10 all day. A shame they closed the S.B. airport fire bomber station 2 years ago, could sure use it now.

As a resident of the Trout Club (under Mand. Evac since July 3), I also have been frustrated by the lack of a continuous, coherent, regular update. We have been patching info together from fellow residents, radio (esp 990 and 1040), KEYT and the Independent.
This morning (at 7 am) , I called the County info line 961-5770 and it was immediately answered by a helpful woman who was able to tell me that as of 6am this morning, no structures were damaged or destroyed at the Trout Club. That was what I needed to know. Phew!
I've found that the evac warnings and orders have been done in plenty of time, and the reverse 911 system (where they call us with a recording about new evac orders) has worked well so far. (Register your cell phone too!)

The US Forest Service relocated to Santa Maria Airport last year. That attack squadron is still in the area.

Keep up the good work.

The map section is much more readable if you click on the "map" control in the upper right, rather than use the arial photo as first shown on the page.

I remember KEYT when it was locally owned (by the Lutens). It was a much more involved station in those days, with ancors more concerned with local issues than their hairdos. If Long Island becomes threatened, be ready for more intense coverage.

is the interactive map current (as of 9:30 a.m. Saturday?) Looks the same as yesterday a.m.

Kudos to the Independent. Your coverage has been the most timely and consistent of any. Also to the help line number as well as for KSBY-TV and KTYD-FM who have had the best tv and radio coverage.

Shame on KEYT and SBNP. These hometown sources should be ashamed. KSBY out of SLO has spent almost all of their five o'clock newscast on the fire while KEYT started with a story of the fireworks and spent less than ten minutes on the fire (10 being generous). What happened to the days of storm watch or the Zaca fire coverage?

The SBNP charges for all of their news including on-line. More and more the NP shows its agenda has nothing to do with being a good neighbor and part of the Santa Barbara community.

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.

Two large pdf maps are now also available at: http://www.countyofsb.org/ They show the power lines - same map that is displayed at Trader Joes for free download.

Beautiful day out here at Winchester & Cathedral Oaks. Not like the night of July 3rd which was just terrifying seeing the thick black clouds of smoke racing along the ridge behind our homes. The skies are much clearer and less ash is falling, although when the winds pick up at night, we do have to shut up all the doors and windows because of the heavy smoky smell and more ash falling. I still hear all the helicopters, but I don't see them in this area. Power still goes out - sometimes a couple of times a day, briefly - but I'm all prepared for that, so it's pretty easy-breezy in this area. The reverse 911 calls regularly provide info and the Indy is great. This end of Goleta seems to have lucked out so far. Thanks to all.

It's been a relief to consult your recent stories. My sister lives in SB near Goleta, and with the phones out some of the time it is a help to keep up with the fire news.

I'm so grateful to the firefighters. May all go well.