More Evacuation Orders Lifted in North Patterson Area
New evacuation warnings are issued for Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara ranches. Chart the Gap Fire with Erika Bildsten's map.
The Gap Fire remained far from contained Saturday but Goleta was able to breathe a collective sigh of relief after mandatory evacuation orders were lifted for many neighborhoods. A large section of the North Patterson Avenue neighborhood was reopened Sunday. The fire’s size grew to 9,400 acres.
At a Saturday afternoon news conference, officials announced that the area north of Cathedral Oaks Road between Fairview Avenue and Winchester Canyon had been downgraded to an evacuation warning. Santa Barbara County communications director William Boyer said the 4-day-old fire’s perimeter has been sufficiently stabilized near Goleta to allow residents to return to their homes if they choose, “immediately and with proof of residency.” Residents of the neighborhoods — Ellwood, Glen Annie, La Patera and Winchester canyons, as well as Glen Annie Golf Course — must remain on alert and be prepared to go at a moment’s notice.
Other areas were reopened Saturday night, including Rancho Embarcadero west of Goleta, Painted Cave above it, and between Fairview and Poinsettia Way north of Cathedral Oaks. On Sunday, evacuation orders were lifted for Camino Andaluz, Camino Altozano, Camino Cerralvo, Camino Galena, Camino Manadero, Camino Meleno, Camino Palomera, Camino Rio Verde, Spur Valley Road and Via Del Rey.
Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for Farren Road west of Goleta and the Haney Tract, Hidden Valley, Kinevan Road, Trout Club, West Camino Cielo and Windermere Ranch areas up the mountain. Residents were ordered to leave those areas Thursday and Friday nights.
Early Sunday, as the fire continued to move west, an evacuation warning was issued for Dos Pueblos Ranch, Eagle Canyon and Santa Barbara Ranch north of Highway 101. To the east, some 850 residents near Old San Marcos Road and Highway 154 remained under an evacuation warning, as well. In all, some 3,200 homes are said to be imperiled.
Authorities said evacuees would be allowed to return home when the fire was no longer “active” in their neighborhoods. In the meantime, the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter has established an evacuation center for residents and pets at San Marcos High School, 4750 Hollister Ave. Just a few families remained there Saturday night.
Noting that the evacuation orders and warnings “can be confusing,” Goleta Mayor Michael Bennett said Saturday that the city of Goleta has up-to-date fire information and road closures at kiosks at Calle Real Center in front of Trader Joe’s, 5680 Calle Real; Camino Real Marketplace, 7004 Marketplace Drive; the Fairview Shopping Center, 175 N. Fairview Ave.; the Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave.; and the Old Town 7-Eleven, 5810 Hollister Ave.
Saturday night, the county and the city of Santa Barbara announced that information kiosks of their own would be updated daily. Those kiosks are located at Embarcadero Hall, 928 Embarcaderso del Norte, Isla Vista; La Cumbre Plaza near Sears, 121 S. Hope Ave.; Paseo Nuevo, 700 State St.; San Marcos High; the Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St.; and Stearns Wharf.
Los Padres National Forest lands south of Highway 154 and East Camino Cielo between Gibraltar and Refugio roads have been closed until the Gap Fire is suppressed. The closure prohibits all public entry to national forest lands, trails, roads and recreation sites, but it does not apply to private land.
More than 2,500 firefighters from numerous agencies are battling the Gap Fire, which has been declared California’s top firefighting priority. Officials said significant “ground troops and aircraft” were being deployed Saturday, largely in the steep, rugged canyons on the fire’s northeastern flank. The aerial assault has included as many as 19 water-dropping helicopters and six air tanker planes, one of which is a converted DC-10 airliner capable of delivering a mile-long load of fire retardant. Officials said Friday that retardant drops were most effective along the fire’s northeastern edge and efforts were being concentrated there to keep the blaze from reaching Highway 154 or crossing West Camino Cielo into the Santa Ynez Valley.
Although the size of the blaze had grown to 9,400 acres Sunday morning, fire officials said it was now 28 percent contained. Still, they said full containment was impossible to predict and they expressed concern that the fire’s western edge could advance to somewhere east of Refugio Canyon — nine miles away. Inaccessible terrain and chaparral that hasn’t burned for more than 50 years is hindering the search for a place to make a stand.
The area continued to be raked by dangerous sundowner winds but Friday’s batch — although gusting to 50 mph — was weaker than previous nights and Saturday’s was weaker still. The down-slope winds are expected to taper off by Sunday night but a severe heat wave is forecast for California beginning Monday.
No houses have burned but officials said the fire destroyed a motor home in upper Ellwood Canyon and a few ranch structures in upper Glen Annie Canyon. No serious injuries have been reported.
The Gap Fire started about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday near the Lizard’s Mouth hiking area on West Camino Cielo, about a half-mile east of the Winchester Canyon Gun Club. Officials have said the fire was caused by humans but have refused to say whether it was accidentally or intentionally set. The blaze remains under investigation and a 24-hour tip line — 805.961.5710 — has been established to receive information on the origin.
At first, about 45 homes were evacuated from mostly rural ranch land in Glen Annie and La Patera canyons. Fueled by sundowners, the fire began growing dramatically Wednesday, spreading to about 1,200 acres before doubling in size overnight Wednesday and again Thursday. The fire is running in an an area that last burned in 1955. It’s about two miles west of the path of the 1990 Painted Cave Fire that destroyed 600 homes in a little over an hour.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in the county Thursday and visited the area Saturday morning. To date, he has declared states of emergency in 11 wildfire-plagued counties: Santa Barbara, Butte, Kern, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta and Trinity.
County Deputy Fire Chief Tom Franklin said the Gap Fire is California’s No. 1 firefighting priority because of its proximity to densely populated neighborhoods. Fires are prioritized based on danger, not size, he said, noting that last year’s Zaca Fire — the second largest in modern California history — was not a priority fire “because there wasn’t a lot of threat.”
On Friday and Saturday, Direct Relief International, in cooperation with the county Health Department and the city of Goleta, distributed free NIOSH N-95 face masks to residents who cannot avoid outdoor exposure to the smoke.
The fire forced the cancellation of Fourth of July festivities in Goleta, including the annual fireworks show at Girsh Park and the Independence Day celebration at Stow House, 304 Los Carneros Road.
Summer school at Dos Pueblos High, 7266 Alameda Ave., was canceled this week because the campus is being used as an emergency services incident command center and staging area. School will resume Monday but, for at least the next two weeks, classes will be held at La Colina Junior High, 4025 Foothill Road, said Barbara Keyani, spokeswoman for the Santa Barbara School Districts. MTD will continue to provide bus service for students.
Click here for up-to-the-minute reports from the Incident Information System. Click here to join the county Fire Department’s “Red Flag Zone 1” Google discussion group and to receive red-flag alerts.
Additional information can be found on county government cable TV station Channel 20, or the following AM or FM radio stations: AM stations KTMS 990, KUHL 1410, KZSB 1290 and KINF 1440; FM stations KCSB 91.9, KSPE 94.5 (Spanish), KSYV 96.7, KTYD 99.9, KSBL 101.7, KRAZ 105.9 and KIST 107.7 (Spanish); and San Marcos Pass Radio 1040 AM.
For the most complete fire coverage, however, check back frequently with Noozhawk, which is updated throughout the day and night.
Noozhawk publisher Bill Macfadyen can be reached at . Local student Erika Bildsten is a Noozhawk contributor.
» wrote on 07/06/08 @ 01:23 PM
Thanks for the most informative coverage anywhere. Keep up the great work.» wrote on 07/06/08 @ 10:20 AM
Thank you so much, once again, for your great coverage of all things important. We are out of the country so your incredible coverage is really helping us stay connected. Thank you so very much!» wrote on 07/06/08 @ 01:35 AM
Thank you for your reporting. We were evacuated Wednesday and I read every source of info I could find. Noozhawk was so far ahead and so much more thorough than anyone else that the other publications shouldn't have even bothered. One of them DIDN'T bother - and we all know which one that one was. The firefighters and Noozhawk are my heroes. Keep up the great work!» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 05:24 PM
Great photos Mo!» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 01:41 PM
Thanks Bill & staff. We were out of town and our neighborhood was evacuated. We kept in touch with the latest information thru Noozhawk. Noozhawk had the most current, updated information.» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 11:50 AM
I checked Noozhawk while the official news briefing was being aired on K-LITE and you already had the story! You guys are awesome!» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 11:46 AM
Terrific and stunning pictures. Great coverage. Terrible fires, and my thoughts are with you all.» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 10:41 AM
Thank you, Bill and Noozhawk, for the great coverage of the Gap Fire -- accessible, timely, accurate. I am appalled that any and all Gap Fire coverage on the News Press website requires a subscription and log in to access. What if we had not seen the rise of the independent local news sources (Noozhawk, EdHat, Daily Sound, Independent, etc.) over the last two years? Where would we have found emergency information? If the SBNP is the "paper of record" in SB, don't they have an obligation to public safety to be a source of accessible and accurate information in an emergency? Once again, a big thank you to Noozhawk and all the reporters and staff for keeping us informed in this emergency.» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 09:22 AM
Great work Bill - thanks for keeping the community updated.» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 09:14 AM
Thank you so much for your excellent coverage of the Gap Fire. It is so much better than anything our local newspapers are providing. I appreciate your efforts!» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 09:12 AM
Here is a nearly complete list of fire frequencies. 168.20 should be added. All the Forest Net and air to ground frequencies are very busy. FIRE AGENCIES 154.190 Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Dist Dispatched on 153.77 154.190 Orcutt Fire Dept 154.190 Santa Barbara City Fire Dept Blue (County Fire Districts) 170.550 Los Padres National Forest (LPF) Forest Net 1 415.325 Los Padres National Forest (LPF) Forest Net 1 171.550 Los Padres National Forest (LPF) Service Net 1 415.400 Los Padres National Forest (LPF) Service Net 1 172.350 Los Padres National Forest (LPF) Service Net 2 Tactical 170.475 Los Padres National Forest (LPF) Service Net 3 Tactical 415.325 Los Padres National Forest (LPF) Forest Net 415.360 Los Padres National Forest (LPF) Service Net 154.355 Montecito Fire Districe Red Primary 153.830 Montecito Fire District Tactical 154.190 Montecito Fire District Blue 154.445 Santa Barbara City Fire Dept Green 1 Dispatch 154.310 Santa Barbara City Fire Dept Green 2 123.975 Santa Barbara Air Tanker Base USFS* 153.770 Santa Barbara Co. Fire Dept Channel A1 Primary Dispatch 153.905 Santa Barbara Co. Fire Dept Channel A3 (South County) 153.980 Santa Barbara Co. Fire Dept Channel A5 (North County) 156.180 Wildland Residents Assn Fire Deot Primary Dispatch 154.130 Wildland Residents Assn Fire Dept Tactical car/car 151.625 Wildland Residents Assn Fire Dept Personal car/car *United States Forest Service FIRE MUTUAL AID & TACTICAL (TAC) 122.575 Air to Air Used during major fires 122.925 Air to Air Used during major fires 130.200 Air to Air Used during major fires 135.575 Air to Air Used during major fires 135.975 Air to Air Used during major fires 151.145 CDF Tac 1 Tactical 151.160 CDF Tac 2 Tactical 151.175 CDF Command 9 Tac 3 Tactical/Command 151.190 CDF Command 10 Tac 4 Tactical/Command 151.220 CDF Helicopter Air to Ground 151.250 CDF Command 5 Tac 5 Tactical/Command 151.265 CDF** Command 2 Command 151.280 CDF-USFS Air Tactics 4 Helicopter 151.295 CDF-USFS Air Tactics 5 Helicopter 151.310 CDF-USFS Air Tactics 6 Helicopter 151.325 CDF Tac 6 Tactical 151.340 CDF Command 3 Tac 7 Tactical/Command 151.355 CDF Command 1 Command 151.370 CDF Command 5 Tac 8 Tactical/Command 151.385 CDF Tac 9 Tactical 151.400 CDF Command 3 Tac 10 Tactical/Command 151.445 CDF Command 8 Tac 11 Tactical/Command 151.460 CDF Command 7 Tac 12 Tactical/Command 151.475 CDF Tac 13 Tactical 154.160 Calififornia OES* OES 1, Statewide 154.220 OES OES 2, Statewide 154.280 OES Fire White 1 Mutual Aid - Calling 154.265 OES Fire White 2 Mutual Aid – Tactical (Large Incident Primary) 154.295 OES Fire White 3 Mutual Aid – Tactical 154.430 Lompoc Fire Dept 154.445 Santa Maria Fire Dept 159.225 CDF Tac 14 Tactical 159.270 CDF Tac 15 Tactical 159.285 CDF Tac 16 Tactical 159.315 CDF Tac 17 Tactical 159.345 CDF Tac 18 Tactical 159.360 CDF Tac 19 Tactical 159.370 CDF Tac 20 Tactical 159.390 CDF Tac 21 Tactical 159.405 CDF Tac 22 Tactical 163.100 Federal Agency Universal Tactical 165.725 Air to Ground 166.675 CDF-USFS Air Tactics 1 Helicopter 167.950 BLM*** Helicopter Air to Ground 168.350 Federal Agency Universal Tactical 168.550 BLM Helicopter Air to Ground Calling 168.620 USFS Helicopter Dispatch/Guard Channel 168.650 USFS Helicopter Tactical 169.100 Air Tactics 3 169.125 USFS/CDF Travel/Calling 169.150 CDF-USFS Air Tactics 2 Helicopter 169.200 CDF-USFS Air Tactics 3 Helicopter 170.000 USFS Air to ground * California State Office of Emergency Services ** California Department of Forestry & Fire Potection ***Bureau of Land Management [Editor's note: Thank you very much for compiling these and sharing them with the Noozhawk community.]» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 08:23 AM
GAP Fire Frequencies Lots of traffic on these today: 415.325 168.350 Tactical? 168.200 SBFD Tactical 154.265 Painted Cave Volunteer FD 154.415 Ventura Co. Engines 155.160 Search and rescue... handling the evacuation notices. Nothing this morning but lots of activity last night. Our local news is a joke. KEYT should be ashamed of the way they are handling this fire. I knew of the evacuations 3 hours before they annnounced it as "Breaking News" at the end of their 11:30PM broadcast. Why don't these stations get one nerd with a $50 scanner to keep them on top of what's happening? Idiots! So much for my rant... hope these help! #17 Today, 09:56 AM syvmom Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Keyt I know...they wouldn't even break into their soaps to cover the press conference....they broadcast it on their other channel, RTN I believe it was called, whatever that is. Well, not everyone has cable. If that channel is on Directv, maybe someone here can let me know where, in case I need local news in the future. I think we get better local news from KSBY in San Luis. #18 Today, 11:49 AM Lurpus Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Air to ground.. new freq 169.085» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 08:08 AM
Excellent job reporting Gap fire news. Thank you for keeping residents updated. Great photos.» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 07:50 AM
Your coverage is terrific! We are away from our home on Camino Palomera, but our grown kids went over and got the photo albums, family memorabilia, important papers, etc. out of the house for us before our neighborhood was evacuated. Thank God for them! Meantime, we are checking your site for the latest information. You are so thorough and current! Thank you!» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 07:28 AM
Our hearts and prayers go out too all of you and the firefighters. We sit safely in Florida now but lost it all in the Painted Cave fire when we lived on Via Los Santos so we feel a deep connection. Good job Bill [Editor's note: Thank you, Ken. Best wishes to you all.]» wrote on 07/05/08 @ 06:48 AM
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.» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 10:40 PM
Is this not war against this fire? If you were really serious you would get those bombers out there at first light. Who's running this show?» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 06:37 PM
Like so many others, my wife and I are out of town. When we heard we were in an evacuation area we didn't know what to do. But thanks to a friend we were directed to your website and learned far more about the fire, weather, prospects, and damages than the incomplete Press News could offer. Thankfully, we'll be able to sleep better tonight.» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 04:17 PM
The first photo in this article is incorrectly labeled "Flames roar up the mountain toward a Painted Cave home Thursday.". This is definitely not in the Painted Cave community. The fire isn't even close. This cabin looks to be like it's on the ledge half-way down the mountain across San Jose creek from Old San Marcos Rd. [Editor's note: Thanks for the head's up. It's been fixed.]» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 03:34 PM
I live near Mountain View Elementary School but am on vacation in Italy. You can not imagine how unsettling it is to read about the Goleta fire over here but not knowing what's really going on and knowning there is absolutely NOTHING you can do anyway. Talk about helpless!! After frantic overseas phone calls I finally reached a friend on N. Kellogg who told me I should be checking Noozhawk. She said everyone she knows has been checking it almost hourly. Now I am too. It is so reassuring to know you're out there and that I can depend on you. Your reports have really put my mind at ease. Thank you thank you thank you!» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 03:14 PM
Noozhawk, I already read you daily (sometimes more than...) and you are showing what new media reporting should be. Great job! Make the NP look like the bozos they have become. And your point about not taking yourselves too seriously - I can think of a few (hundred) others in town who could learn from that. I haven't tried you on my internet-enabled cell phone yet, but that's a possible answer for folks without power or land lines (at least until the situation gets so serious that all but 1st responders are locked out of cell usage).» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 01:31 PM
We appreciate the Noozhawk's up-to-date coverage of this fire! Like was said by another subsciber...SO much better than the Ampersand group's attempt to provide information to our community.» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 12:47 PM
Bill, Rob, What can I say...but thank you for the media noozhawks offers! With the ability to post updates from people directly connected to the event, to the well documented article! I feel very informed as to what is going on, even when I am 3000 miles away and concerned for friends, family, and my beloved pets. Keep up the great work! Thank you everyone for the information. Oriskovich Family!» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 07:20 AM
This is exactly why Noozhawk is filling the void left by the Newspress! I'm in another country, checking on my hometown - The Newspress coverage leaves way more questions than it provides answers plus Noozhawk has one the area's best reporting on it. Thank you Noozhawk staff - this info is really helpful - especially while being far from home!» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 05:14 AM
Thank you Noozhawk! So nice to wake up and get some updated news! Well done. I also have to thank radio station AM 990. If anyone tuned in last night, you know it was nice to hear a live person giving updates, as well as "eye witnesses" calling in.» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 05:01 AM
Thanks for the detail info. I live in Goleta and it has been hard to find complete updates of this amazing spreading fire. Thanks to all the firemen that have worked and continue to battle the fires.» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 03:24 AM
Another GREAT, thorough article from Noozhawk and Rob Kuznia. Thank you for being one of the best sources, if not the best, for a comprehensive look at Gap fire. The community appreciates your efforts.» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 02:50 AM
I'm just a quiet, sensitive, individual who notices things. It's a beautiful cool morning here in Goleta on this July 4th, 2008. Being summertime the sun rises very early. The birds are singing. Not a cloud in the sky. You can see for miles. The air is cool coming down the mountains. You can see the Gap hot spots only as smoke following closely the slope of the hillsides. It looks like the perfect time to fly in and eliminate this fire. With so much at stake I wonder why no one is taking the initiative to do so. I'm just a quiet, sensitive individual.» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 01:23 AM
Thank you Rob. My home is in one of the evacuation zones and your work for Noozhawk has been the most consistent news source while I am out of town. We truly appreciate your efforts on this story.» wrote on 07/04/08 @ 01:02 AM
Hi Ron, Thabnks for the up to date info. My wife and I are out of the country in BORNEO and live on Camino Palomera. Of course, we are very concerned so if you have any current updates about our street could you send me an email to . I need to know if we need to come home!! Thanks, Steve & Mona Cousens» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 05:49 PM
Rob- You are doing an incredible job at a very difficult time. An incredible amount of good useful emergency information. Keep up the good work. The community appreciates you. Noozhawk is shining with this News medium and making a real difference for people where the traditional ones fail.» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 12:29 PM
You can also register your cell phone to receive reverse 911 calls. Our power was out for a good 10 hours, but cell service continued to work. Go to http://www.sbsheriff.org/reverse911.html to add your cell phone number(s) to the database.» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 09:48 AM
Thank you Noozhawk for once again providing our community with acurate and timely news. We were grateful to read updated information on the fire today in your report. Situated at the base of Hwy 154, we had no way of knowing what was going on all night long. We sat with many neighbors on the bridge near Hwy 154 for a visual 'til past midnight. Battery-powered TV set on Keyt for 11p news was a 'joke' as we listened to Joe Gail interview Goleta folks asking 'how it felt not having any contact with local officials?'!!! Leave it to Keyt..., why didn't JOE have any info to report? (Just don't get it). Come to find out that folks in north county knew much more from KSBY! Thank you SB News Press for giving us inacurate, day-old news. Radio stations just played programing ... there was near-to-none informative reporting or updating going on. For the 140,000 or so locals with no power for cable or land lines...sitting ducks we were!!! (we actually had an old phone plugged in for the reverse 911 call if needed). Last night was a nightmare trying to find out what was actally happening on the fire front. We had family sitting on La Patera Rd packed and ready to move...they gave us the updates. As residents of this community we have once again experienced the poor communication we are to receivm our local media keyt, radio stations and sbnewspress. What we realized was that we are on our own. Thank goodness, power and cable stable...we have YOU! God Bless all our fire fighters!!!» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 06:37 AM
A live radio broadcast seems imperative, since Cox was out for hours in my neighborhood this morning - Mesa - I was unable to get TV or Internet coverage. Having an elderly aunt in the Goleta area, I felt quite helpless. And, don't you need a special radio to access police reports? Further info on that would be helpful, as well. Thx!» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 06:14 AM
If it wasn't for Noozhawk and the other alternative newspaper (I think you know which one I'm referring to) there would be no timely updates on the fire. As a previous reader stated even InciWeb is providing yesterday's data (18 hour old numbers). This morning's SBNP was delivered at least 2 hours late and I thought "AHA! The paper is late because they're publishing the latest news!" WRONG! It was yesterday's information. How bad can it get? Keep up the good work. I hope the Noozhawk staff knows how important they are in keeping Santa Barbara informed. [Editor's note: That's nice of you to say. We take our job seriously but we don't take ourselves that seriously. It makes a difference.]» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 06:01 AM
Greaat coverage...Thank you» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 05:55 AM
Please note that the Goleta Fireworks Festival is expected to go on as scheduled on the 4th at Girsh Park, starting at 4:00 for food and entertainment, and culminating at 9:00 with a spectacular fireworks display. Come celebrate the 4th in Goleta! Unfortunately, the daytime 4th of July event at historic Stow House has been cancelled, due to the proximity of the fire, the falling ashes, and smoke filled air. Special efforts are being made to protect Stow House from the fire.» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 05:46 AM
the absolutely best way to follow what's going on is to listen to the fire and tactical frequencies on a police scanner. especially active is command: 171.550. listening to the actual firefighters and commanders will give you a very accurate picture of what's going on. a simple google search for santa barbara or los padres fire will bring up a complete list of frequencies to listen to.» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 05:13 AM
I just wanted to compliment Noozhawk on the fine reporting it's provided on the Goleta fire. I remember the days when Allen Parsons, Tom Bolton, Bill Macfadyen, Jesse Chavarria and Tad Weber were leading that kind of comprehensive coverage on nearly every major event here. Perhaps due to the chilling similarities to the Painted Cave fire, something about this fire made me realize how much I miss that. Since it seems only Macfadyen is involved with Noozhawk, maybe I'm giving those other guys too much credit. Thank you Noozhawk. Your depth and professionalism have not gone unnoticed. - JW [Editor's note: Even Parsons would agree you're giving him too much credit. LOL Thank you very much for your kind words. We did have a pretty good team back in The Day, but this Noozhawk crew is first-rate. Rob Kuznia, Mollie Helmuth and Michelle Nelson are doing a fantastic job with this story, and our coverage would be even better were our Sonia Fernandez not on vacation ... in Mendocino ... at band camp. But I've got to ask: Who are you?!]» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 05:09 AM
We really need a radio station with a live announcer dedicated to sharing up-to-the-minute information relevant for the public. No music, just accurate, timely fire news. When the electricity was off for hours last night, we turned to our emergency radios. As we watch the fire spread across the hillside, we hear occasional fire news blurbs on various radio stations (that are identical each time), informing us to get up to date information on the internet or the TV ! The fire quadrupled in size yesterday, and still, InciWeb (one would think should be very timely) was updated 18 hours ago. That's too long. If real sundowner winds were to kick up as in 1990, the general public would need updates, accessible to all, at least every 30 minutes. This is the best way to keep the populace acting rationally during an emergency. We need information that is not dependent upon electricity or high technology! For now, I find myself turning to Noozhawk (thank you). Until the power goes out again.» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 05:04 AM
Any chance Noozhawk could post (and regularly update) a map showing the fire perimeter? I've only found a map at the Inciweb site (way off!) and on KEYT's web site and they do not show much useful info . . . thanks! [Editor's note: Good suggestion. We'll see what we can do. Thanks.]» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 03:57 AM
Did anyone else see flames at Winchester Canyon last night? There were some frightened elderly people who could have used some information regarding Winchester Canyon area late yesterday, as they sat in the dark. Unfortunately, the radio reports repeated the same pre-recorded informtion into the night. The people in charge of public updates could have reassured many just by acknowledging that they were aware of flames in the area, far west of Glen Annie.» wrote on 07/03/08 @ 02:56 AM
I live in Winchester Canyon on the northern side of Cathedral Oaks, and those ranches in Ellwood Canyon are right behind our neighborhood. Our neighborhood did receive reverse-911 calls yesterday at around 7 or 8pm that said the evacuation warning had been extended to Winchester Canyon. Yet, so far, even this morning, every news outlet I've seen is still only reporting the warning as being between Glen Annie and Fairview--well, Winchester Canyon is not between Glen Annie and Fairview--we are west of Glen Annie. We had fire trucks in our neighborhood all night.» wrote on 07/02/08 @ 11:34 PM
And where is the 3rd District Supervisor in the photo above? Perhaps slurping down Corton Charlemagne in Beaune, or sampling Beluga cavier in Odessa? The regional response from SoCal firefighters has been exceptional, but this act of god showed us how meek we are. A little wind and Goleta would be chars this morning.» wrote on 07/02/08 @ 06:05 PM
painted cave fire was in 1990, not 1991 [Editor's note: Not sure how we could forget that. Fixed. Thanks.]» wrote on 07/02/08 @ 09:28 AM
Thank you for the wonderful coverage and updates» wrote on 07/02/08 @ 08:26 AM
I live in Modesto but my Mom lives in Goleta not far from Cathedral Oaks. I turned to Noozhawk first for information that was up to date and informative! Forget about that other poor excuse for a newspaper!!» wrote on 07/02/08 @ 07:24 AM
So far the best coverage I've found this morning while I'm at work in SB and wondering what's happening at home! Thanks, Noozhawk - I should have tried you first! (Thank you! And you're welcome.)» wrote on 07/02/08 @ 05:28 AM
Thank you for the updates, NoozHawk. It's reassuring that we have a reliable news source for these kinds of incidnets.» wrote on 07/02/08 @ 02:12 AM
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