Darkness Highlights Whittier’s Flames
As the sun set in the west through the smoke puffed by Whittier Fire, active fire along the southwest area below Santa Ynez Peak was highlighted by the increasing darkness. Fire officials assured that the flare-up visible from town was not a threat — about two miles from any homes, said Captain Mike Lindbery, spokesperson for unified command. The blaze had been held in check by water and retardant drops during the day but was fanned by onshore breezes. No active flames threaten the Edison towers as of today.
Firefighters on the front lines continued building and reinforcing dozer containment lines on the east and west sides on Thursday. On the west, the fire made runs up some steeper slopes. More personnel and equipment were assembling in the Goleta foothills for expected sundowner conditions Friday evening. Containment was up to 52 percent, and personnel had increased to 1,240.
