As fires rage across Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County fire crews have been sent south to aid in the Palisades Fire response.
Montecito Fire Engine 391 responded to the Palisades Fire as part of a local strike team with Lompoc City Fire, Santa Maria Fire, Santa Barbara City Fire, and Carpinteria-Summerland Fire personnel.
Fire officials added that residents should be prepared during critical fire weather and that Montecito Fire stations are fully staffed and ready to respond to emergencies.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department also sent out a strike team to the Palisades Fire, which included five engines, a battalion chief, and a public information officer, Capt. Scott Safechuck said. He also noted that county stations are fully staffed and prepared to respond to emergencies.
Goleta-based Direct Relief had emergency response teams in Los Angeles Wednesday delivering essential items, including N-95 masks, shampoo, razors, bar soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes at the Pasadena Convention Center, which is serving as an evacuation center.
Teams will be returning to Los Angeles Thursday to pass out items at the Westwood Recreation Center, spokesperson Brea Burkholz said.
Burkholz spent Wednesday in Los Angeles with emergency teams, and said they saw heavy ash, downed trees and branches and strong winds.
“It was honestly quite apocalyptic,” Burkholz said. “I think there’s a lot of people that don’t really know what to do and they’re looking for answers. A lot of people are still in shock.”
There are four active fires in Los Angeles County that have caused massive destruction since starting on Tuesday.
The Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades has burned 15,832 acres, the Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena has burned 10,600 acres, the Hurst Fire in Sylmar has burned 505 acres, and the Woodley fire in the Sepulveda Basin has burned 50 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Cal Fire incidents page.
Five people have been killed in the Eaton Fire and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed in the blazes so far, fire officials said. Additional fires were reported in the region on Wednesday.
To support Palisades Fire victims, Cold Spring School District is hosting free trauma support counseling and a day camp for children ages 6 to 16.
On Thursday, guests are invited to Cold Spring Elementary School to enjoy the playground, free pizza and snacks from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Trauma-informed counselors will be available to meet with families and offer support.
On Friday, a free kids camp and counseling will be available at the school. There will be art, sports, drama, and music activities for all evacuated children from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Families can RSVP at 805.969.2678 to secure a spot.
While there are no active wildfires in Santa Barbara County, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for windy, dry, warm conditions that create a higher risk of wildfires. That warning applies to South Coast and Santa Ynez Mountain areas, and interior mountains in the county.
Southern California Edison implemented public safety power shutoffs for some South Coast areas and more are possible.
Click here to sign up for ReadySBC emergency alerts from Santa Barbara County.
