Fire Caused Outage (Updated)

[Press Release from SB County Public Information Office] At 7:28 p.m. as a result of the Gap Fire, Edison lines were temporarily damaged causing power outages on the South Coast.

We urge all South Coast residents, if you have power, to reduce power usage immediately. At this time there is not an estimated time for restoration of power. Please stay informed through the various media listed here: Fire page.

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Update: Supes Declare Local Emergency

Due to the expansion of the Gap Fire, the County of Santa Barbara proclaimed a local state of emergency at 9:55pm Wednesday evening, July 2, 2008.

The Board of Supervisors will ratify the declaration at a televised special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2008, at the County Administration Building located at 105 East Anapamu in downtown Santa Barbara.

This declaration helps the County to compete for firefighting resources that are presently in short supply statewide.

The public can also go online to Santa Barbara County website for more information or call (805) 961-5770

Residents are advised to stay alert for additional information by listening to County Government cable TV station Channel 20, or the following AM or FM radio “Stations of Choice” for Emergency Public Information or other local television stations listed on this page.

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Summary of the Gap Fire (from Inciweb)

The Gap Fire started at approximately 5:45p.m. on July 1 in the West Camino Cielo area, 4 miles west of State Highway 154 in Los Padres National Forest. The fire is continuing to burn steadily downslope from the top of the ridge and has consumed an estimated 260 acres. The fire is burning in heavy chaparral fuels (15-20 feet tall), in extremely steep and rocky terrain. Winds out of the north (slight “sundowner” winds) last night pushed the fire downslope to the south at a moderate rate of spread. During the early hours of the fire, spotting occured ahead of the fire and flame lenths of 10-30 feet were reported.

The general location of the Gap blaze (This map has been updated with corrections; the definitions of the markers may be seen by clicking the the larger image link)

Firefighters on the ground, during during daylight hours, are aided by fixed wing air tankers and water-dropping helicopters. In addition to the firefighting resources already engaged, many additional engines, crews and other equipment are en route.

No structures have been reported as being lost. Approximately 200 houses are considered threatened at this time and a mandatory evacuation is in place for Glen Annie Canyon and La Patera Canyon where there are scattered homes. An Evacuation Warning is in place for residents between Glen Annie and Fairview, north of Cathedral Oaks.

An evacuation center has been established by the American Red Cross at San Marcos High School at 4750 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara. A pet shelter has been set up at the facility. Assistance in transporting large animals is available by calling 805-681-4332. Residents are urged to stay alert for additional information by listening to County Government cable TV station Channel 20, or local AM or FM radio stations.

On the Internet, the public can go to the County of Santa Barbara website for more information.

This fire is being managed under a Unified Command by the United States Forest Service and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.