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West Beach Music Festival
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More info at www.countyofsb.org
Gap Fire burning out of control in Goleta causing widespread power outages and burning within about a mile of neighborhoods.
300 firefighters mounted a campaign against the Gap fire in Santa Barbara County, using four helicopters and six air tankers to drop loads of water and chemical retardants. Much of the battle was conducted from the air as firefighters streamed in without a break from fires that have been raging across the state.
"Could we use more resources? Absolutely!" Santa Barbara County Fire Chief John Scherrei said. "But California is stretched thin."
About 300 homes sit downhill and downwind from the flames, which were consuming brush that had gone untouched by fire for 54 years. The blaze was about two miles west of the path of the 1990 Painted Cave fire, which burned 600 structures in 90 minutes.
"I remember how it jumped the freeway and people just had to scramble," said Christina Djernaes, 39, an attorney who was heading home to pack her valuables just in case. "I don't want that to happen this time."
Celia Breyfogle, 75, and her husband Newell, 78, had already boxed up clothing, pictures and documents by Wednesday morning.
"It's been a terrible year," Celia Breyfogle said. "The Midwest is getting water, water, water, and we're getting fire, fire, fire. Wish we could all share."
Motorists on U.S. Highway 101 on Wednesday could see fingers of smoke working their way down the mountain about two miles north of the freeway.
The blaze started about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday near the Winchester Gun Club, said Capt. Eli Iskow, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Investigators on Wednesday had not yet pinpointed the cause.
About 40 homes in rural Glen Annie and La Patera canyons were evacuated.
An evacuation warning was issued for residents of about 300 homes above Cathedral Oaks Road, between Glen Annie Road and Fairview Avenue.
In Northern California, firefighters continued to battle the numerous lightning-triggered wildfires that have burned more than 440,000 acres.
Statewide, 7,800 homes remain threatened and 31 residences have been destroyed.
Big Sur continues to be among the most threatened spots, with 17 homes lost, 1,200 still threatened and about 1,500 people evacuated. |
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