MetaChat - Santa Barbara is burning

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14 November 2008

Santa Barbara is burning Specifically, in the hills about four miles from my home.→[More:]Started a bit over four hours ago, 400+ acres burned so far. Lost power for a bit, but it's back for the time being. High winds are apparently making things somewhat interesting.

Isn't California fun?

post by: The Pusher Robot at: 00:57 | 17 comments

Crap! You gonna be okay?

posted by MonkeyButter 14 November | 01:30

Too early to say. It's moved into the city now, but at least the wind has died down. Reportedly over 100 structures have burned so far. Just have to wait and see how things look in the morning, I guess.

posted by The Pusher Robot 14 November | 01:42

Whoah. This article says the winds are gusting as high as 70 mph. Do you know if the wind is steady in one direction? Towards you or away?

I remember when there was a big wildfire not too far from where I am... I kept going outside to see which way the wind was blowing. eep.

posted by taz 14 November | 01:42

ah, good to hear that the wind might be lessening, anyway. Damn.

posted by taz 14 November | 01:43

For the little it's worth, good luck TPR.

posted by arse_hat 14 November | 01:46

Oh, shit. Take care, The Pusher Robot, and everyone else dealing with this.

The google news results page is interesting - many articles highlight exclusive, tony Montecito and that multimillion dollar homes have been lost. Set by someone underwater trying to dodge foreclosure, perhaps?

posted by goo 14 November | 01:53

Oh no! Earlier this year Santa Cruz, now SB, what next? All of my favorite places in CA are being ravaged by the wind and fire Gods in cahoots.

posted by iamkimiam 14 November | 02:14

Google Map showing the extent. I'm right near Mission and 101 on the west side, so it's, shall we say, uncomfortably close.

posted by The Pusher Robot 14 November | 02:20

Oh, hell. Yeah, that's close.

posted by taz 14 November | 02:37

*wrings hands*

posted by MonkeyButter 14 November | 02:42

Hope everything turns out ok.

posted by gomichild 14 November | 04:16

Wow, that's a lot of fire. As an east-coaster, I always have trouble wrapping my mind around the idea that hills can be on fire.

posted by octothorpe 14 November | 10:06

What area do you live in?

(I used to live in the Magnolia, on SB St. up for the Courthouse.)

posted by danf 14 November | 10:07

Eek! Crossing fingers and toes for you. Stay safe.

posted by Stewriffic 14 November | 11:02

Gosh, stay safe, and be sure to evacuate if they say to.

You can take your stuff/pets with you, replace your abode, etc. You know this already, don't ya?

posted by mightshould 14 November | 11:42

A friend of mine checked in with me and said that many homes have burned along the "Riviera" section of the city. Some beautiful houses up there, that command wonderful views of the city below and the ocean beyond.

This is the second time this year that the Santa Barbara area has had to contend with a major fire. :-(

posted by WolfDaddy 14 November | 11:49

Having trouble getting information on how things are actually going, but they seem to have at least pushed it back from the city. The evacuation areas haven't been expanded since last night, at any rate. Can't see any flames anymore, just lots and lots of smoke. Still, keeping bags packed just in case.

posted by The Pusher Robot 14 November | 12:54

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