Jesusita fire at 90% containment

Jesusita Fire Closure Area. Photo courtesy USFS As of today, the Jesusita fire has been 90% contained, with full containment expected on Wednesday, May 20. County Supervisors Salud Carbajal, First District, and Janet Wolf, Second District, will be hosting a Jesusita Fire Recovery Meeting at 6:30 PM, Monday, May 18, 2009 at the County Administration Building, Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, 93101. County officials will provide information on the recovery process and answer questions regarding debris removal, project case managers and other issues that relate to the recovery process for residents who have lost homes or otherwise have been impacted by the Jesusita Fire. County of Santa Barbara TV Channel 20 will be broadcasting this recovery meeting live and rebroadcasting the meeting. Check County website www.countyofsb.org/ for broadcast schedule and other Jesusita Fire recovery information. JESUSITA FIRE FACTS As of May 14, 2009, 0800 (8:00 A.M.) Fire Status * Acres burned: 8,733 * Percent contained: 90% * Expected full containment: 05/20/09 * Cause: Under investigation (please call 805-686-5074 if you have any information pertaining to how the fire started) * Homes destroyed: 80 * Homes damaged: 15 * Outbuildings destroyed: 79 * Outbuildings damaged: 2 * Commercial property destroyed: 1 * Commercial property damaged: 0 * Properties remaining evacuated: Approximately 45 (mandatory evacuation orders) * Persons affected: approximately 112 * Residences remaining threatened: 500 (residences are at various levels of threat, depending on their location). * Total number of personnel assigned to the incident: 2,781 * Engines: 203 * Crews: 86 * Bulldozers: 13 * Water Tenders: 21 * Fixed Wing Air Tankers: 0 * Air Attack Aircraft: 1 * Helicopters: 7 * Firefighter injuries to date: 29 * Air quality: Warning remains in effect * Estimated costs to date: $17,050,000 * Expected containment 5/20/09 * Cooperating/assisting agencies: Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara City Fire Department, Carpinteria Fire Department, Montecito Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, Santa Barbara Police Department, California Highway Patrol, CALTRANS, Southern California Edison (power company), City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Division Jesusita Fire Evacuations: The public is reminded that East Camino Cielo, east of Painted Cave, and all of Gibraltar Road remain within the mandatory evacuation order area and are closed except for emergency vehicle traffic. The current evacuation warnings remain in effect for: · The northern boundary remains at East Camino Cielo · The southern boundary remains at Cathedral Oaks Road, Foothill Road (HWY 192), Stanwood Drive (HWY 192), Sycamore Canyon Road (HWY 192), East Valley Road (HWY192), to Hot Springs Road. · The Western Boundary of the evacuation warning area will move from Patterson Ave/San Jose Creek to Old San Marcos Road, Old San Marcos to HWY 154 (this includes the Trout Club area). HWY 154 to East Camino Cielo. · The Eastern Boundary remains at Hot Springs Road extending north to East Camino Cielo Road. Trail Closures: * Approximately 70% of the San Marcos Foothills Preserve land area suffered some form of fire damage and are closed to the public until further notice due to continuing fire fighting operations. We expect to have a habitat assessment team on site for a detailed analysis on Monday, May 18. Certain areas may be accessible after the assessment. * The City and Forest Service have closed Jesusita Trail, Tunnel Road Trail, and Rattlesnake Canyon Trail to the public until further notice. * San Antonio Creek Trail is open. Road Closures · Road Closure Hotline - 805-568-3006 · www.countyofsb.org/pwd/roads/closure.htm UCSB Multi Activity Center is now on standby status The Red Cross has placed the Emergency Shelter at the Multi Activity Center (aka Rec Center) on the UCSB Campus on standby status and it will be re-opened if future fire evacuation announcements warrant. Anyone currently in need of assistance should go to the Red Cross Service Center at 2101 State Street or call the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter at (805) 687-1331. Red Cross Opens Service Center An American Red Cross Service Center has been opened in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church at 2101 State St (enter from Padre Street) to serve those most affected by the Jesusita Fire. It will be open during the following hours: Thursday, May 14 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, May 15 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, May 17 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. Monday, May 18 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Service Center has trained Red Cross volunteers providing casework for the residents whose houses were destroyed or significantly damaged by the Jesusita Fire. In addition, mental health and health services volunteers are offering help to those who need it. Key Phone Numbers: * County Jesusita Fire Call Center - 805-681-5197 * Evacuation Shelter (Red Cross) - 687-1331 * Animal Services Hotline - 805-681-4332 Animal Shelter Locations: * Large animals: Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real - Santa Barbara * Small animals: Call the Animal Services Hotline - 805-681-4332 Internet: * City of Santa Barbara website at www.santabarbaraca.gov/ * County of Santa Barbara website at www.countyofsb.org/. * Montecito Fire Department at www.montecitofire.com/jesusitarecovery.htm Television Stations: * CityTV Channel 18 * County of Santa Barbara TV Channel 20 * KEYT-TV Channel 3 Radio Stations: * FM: KCSB-91.9; KSYV-96.7; KTYD-99.9; KSBL-101.7; KRAZ-105.9 * AM: KTMS-990; KZSB-1290; KUHL-1410; KINF-1440 * Spanish language FM stations KSPE-94.5 and KIST-107.7 Basic Information: Incident Type: Wildland Fire Cause: Under Investigation Date of Origin: Tuesday May 05th, 2009 aprox 01:30 PM Location: North West of Mission Cyn in Santa Barbara Co Incident Commander: Unified Command Current Situation: Total Personnel 2,781 Size 8,733 acres Percent Contained 90% Estimated Containment Date: Wednesday May 20th, 2009 aprox 12:00 AM Fuels Involved: Chaparral (6 Feet) Fire Behavior: No significant fire behavior after being tested with sustained winds 40 mph, gusts to 50-55 mph, and humidities in the 20th percentile. Significant Events: No significant fire growth. Evacuations remain in place in selected areas on the west side of the fire. Low humidities and winds have helped with consumption of interior islands. Outlook: Planned Actions: Mop-up of remaining hot spots. Fireline suppression repair. Growth Potential: Medium Terrain Difficulty: Extreme CAL FIRE Incident Command Team 4 (Waterman) in unified command with D'Andrea, Schmitt, McElroy, and McElwee. Operational periods are 24-hour shifts. The number of structures reported represents the continuing assessment of structures either damaged or destroyed. Due to limited access, the County of Santa Barbara's assessment is ongoing. Current Weather Temperature: 72-84 degrees Humidity: 20-40%