@wecandothis - if it will help you can go to Keyt and stream the local news. You can also download the Keyt app and get notifications on your phone.
Both downtown and near SBCC will have poor air quality but aren’t in any evacuation zones. If the fire reaches those areas we are all in big trouble. If your S doesn’t have a mask Direct Relief International is handing them out at Mesa Produce,
Direct Relief is a great non profit helping in disasters all over the world. They have been handing out masks free of charge all over the county.
@youcee We are planning to head south to LA on 101 tomorrow for cleaner air.
My son is done with fall quarter down in Pasadena, but we haven’t recommend that he head up here because of the air quality and power outages. And Amtrak has not been running regularly for several days. Luckily, his college allows students to stay in the dorm as much as they like over break.
The Santa Barbara K-12 schools have cancelled classes for the entire week, so DS21 doesn’t need to stay here.
We are closer to UCSB and not in or near an evacuation area. Agree with mom60 that SBCC and downtown are not near evacuation zones, but that wearing an N-95 mask when outside is important.
Thank you so much, listening to KEYT now. Very helpful and feel a little less worried now. He does have the mask you mentioned. They said on this news channel that UCSB is “closed”, don’t think that’s quite accurate. I think campus is still open? Just finals cancelled.
@wecandothis Yes, the FAQ at http://info.sa.ucsb.edu/finalspostponement says “Yes. Residence Halls and dining commons will remain open as scheduled through December 15. Students should be assured that they will be housed and fed. Apartments will remain open.” The part of the FAQ for staff talks about them working unless they take comp/vacation time and that departments can request authorization to curtail operations.
How is the air quality in Ventura itself? Is there a website that will give you that information as I’ve heard it discussed but not specifically to particular areas. We have had a family vacation scheduled since May. We are renting an Airbnb in Ventura starting 12/20 for 3 days. The property has never been in the evacuation zone though you could probably walk to it from there. The area north of the property is considered contained now and the home is well south of the active fire zone. We will be flying into LAX on Sunday and our plan is to visit Sequoia National Park for a couple of days then drive to Ventura. We have options if it is considered too dangerous to visit. My intention is to keep abreast of the fire and stay in touch with the Airbnb host.
It’s terrible the devastation these fires have brought. We have discussed taking a day and helping in some way if we can but we also don’t want to be in the way. Perhaps we will find someway to donate to the relief. I was originally going to start a thread about things to do in the area but I think I’ll just wish the people affected by this fire the best.
Hi
I live in Ventura at the base of the foothills where the so many homes were lost. The air has been surprisingly somewhat ok. It is dependent upon the winds. But here are some links that might help you.
For air quality try VCAPCD.ORG
For news and information about the Thomas Fire in Ventura try READYVENTURACOUNTY.ORG
If you need help or want to help try WWW.THOMASFIREHELP.COM
I thank you for wanting to volunteer or help but right now the roads to the homes burned by the fires are closed and manned by the National Guard. They are only allowing two residents per vehicle at a time and then they are only allowed to stay in the area for two hours.
The READYVENTURA.ORG also has a link to information about the fire in Santa Barbara.
Hopefully, by the time you get to Ventura the fire will have been put out, but if you are worried about the air quality in your home you might buy an air purifier to use while you are here. You can buy one while you are here at Target. We have them because my husband and daughter have asthma and they really make a difference.
@Chumom The second occurance of the readyventuracounty.org link in your post you left out ‘county’ and that 2nd one is a bad link. Just posting in case someone copies that instance like I did. READYVENTURACOUNTY.ORG with ‘county’ in the name is useful though.
Sorry, for the confusion. My first link was correct. The thomasfirehelp.com works fine for me. I just tried it again.
We just drove south through Ventura, and the air was clear starting in north Oxnard. I read that they expect the normal onshore flow (wind coming off the ocean) to resume about Friday, Dec. 15. That will improve the smoke situation and direct the fire away from populated areas.
Thank you for considering volunteering. In Santa Barbara, the large animal evacuation place at Earl Warren Showgrounds is looking for people to help with the horses. Ventura may have a similar need.
Thank you everyone and especially Chumom. That information is exactly what I was looking for. Good luck everyone.
Most of Montecito north of 101 is under mandatory evacuation this morning. Much of Santa Barbara north of State St. under voluntary evacuation. I haven’t heard of any structures burning yet. As far as I can tell from the news, the first is still north of Mountain Dr. (and thus north of 192). But, the wind is blowing hard from the north in that area.
What end of town are you in @mom60? Stay safe. (We are in Goleta, so not in danger.)
My son’s finals were cancelled at UCSB, so I was hoping he would leave. But he said he has to work- he has 2 jobs, one on campus with facilities moving furniture and helping w events, and the other at the UPS warehouse, loading trucks on the night shift. His GF also has to work. So they are staying at her place near downtown SB. He’s wearing a mask while working I guess. His rental house is inthe Mesa area. I still wish he’d leave! The fallen firefighter was from our area here in SD.
The evacuation area has greatly expanded. The voluntary area goes into downtown. @wecandothis your S should keep the news on. I can’t believe it will get downtown but at this point I don’t know. Our office is in voluntary but most of our important papers are in a fireproof cabinet. My D is on edge of the voluntary. @Ynotgo I am in Hope Ranch. S lives in Goleta and my D upper state area. We have a lot of friends in mandatory areas. Keeping our fingers crossed.
It’s just crazy as it seemed like things were going to be okay.
Sounds very touch and go, stay safe! Thank you for the info… just heard from my son. He just got off work and they are heading out, north to Monterey. Hope he can get out as I’ve read evac routes are jammed. Just relieved that he is making a move, finally!
Air is not clearing up in the Ventura/Oxnard area. In fact, it’s worse today. Strong winds are expected tonight into tomorrow and if they don’t fan the flames any more, they hope to have control of the fire by Jan. 7. The family of the fallen fireman is arriving to the area today and he will be escorted to San Diego where he’s from.
This is so dreadful.
I am still praying for rain. And I don’t pray.
DH’s folks and lots of our friends live in Summerland (we used to live there, too), Carp and the surrounding areas. 
This is the first time Summerland has been evacuated since its founding in 1889. We were supposed to visit last weekend, postponed to the middle of this week - and now looking like maybe January??
Summerland is small enough that if the fire burns through to the freeway or the ocean, it would obliterate the entire town. I think that’s highly unlikely, but it’s still worrisome.
We’re keeping everyone in our thoughts.
Up in the Bay Area, we have wind and a red flag warning today. Crossing my fingers for the Bay Area, and sending good thoughts south.
They’re not predicting rain until 2018. Good for my planned bike rides every day between Christmas and New Years, but otherwise very very bad.
Yes, we are beyond 250 days with no rain over 0.1" in Santa Barbara. It would be great to have some rain.
We’re currently in a vacation rental cottage in East Beach, just outside voluntary evacuation zone. My mom is in an assisted care facility in SB and after seeing what happened to helpless seniors in Santa Rosa we wanted to be able to help if needed. It is so eerie to see downtown Santa Barbara almost completely deserted with ash falling like snow. Most people are wearing particle masks, including the homeless camped by the beach. Parking everywhere is free and the zoo had free admission for a few days, now they are preparing the animals for possible evacuation. A few restaurants and shops remained open today and the employees were grateful for business - we left some huge tips. To top off the apocalyptic atmosphere, a tanker truck carrying fuel overturned this morning on the 101 freeway closing all N bound lanes. Chancellor Yang made the right decision to postpone finals!