@momsquad - you describe the atmosphere so well. My H and I were talking last night about the numerous assisted living facilities and thinking how would they get those residents safe and where they would take them. I’m sure you were glad to be here when they had the Hwy 101 closed north bound to non residents.
The amazing thing is how well coordinated all the first responders are. At this point they are saying over 8000 firefighters from all over the state and numerous other states. It’s a well oiled mutual aid response. These men and women are away from their families and homes over the holidays and it’s much appreciated. It also puts in prospective what is really important.
Today at 10 am the body of the fallen firefighter will go by procession from Ventura to his home in San Diego. They say it will go through 5 counties. We are all thankful for the service of all the people who are trying to keep all of us safe.
@mom60 You are so right about the organization of the fire fight. We watched the regular updates of the fire chief and he correctly predicted the fire status as the winds shifted erratically. They closed every exit from the 101 through the evacuation zone in Carpenteria and had a squad car stationed at each exit to keep the area secure.
The retirement facilities have reciprocal agreements with each other to shelter residents affected by evacuations. My mom’s place had taken in residents from a facility in Carpenteria and from Wood Glen Hall on Foothill. Both the staff and permanent residents seemed to find it all quite exciting to meet so many new people! We were very reassured to visit and see how well organized they were.
Is there a good website to track the latest updates on the fires? We are going to be in LA starting xmas eve - the plan was to visit Joshua Tree/Palm Spring and then spend some time in Santa Barbara. Obviously Santa Barbara is out now - we might go south instead.
@arisamp - since you aren’t going to Santa Barbara you might consider coming down to San Diego instead.
@arisamp By the time you would be here, it’s very unlikely that things won’t be back to normal in Santa Barbara.
It is 60% contained now, and the (hopefully) last of the winds blowing the wrong direction are expected tonight. If things are OK after that, I expect almost all of the evacuation orders and warnings will be lifted. Evacuations are just as much about the wonderful firefighters needing clear roads to get trucks in and out as they are about actual danger.
Here are some links for you:
Air quality: https://www.ourair.org/todays-air-quality/
California fire map: http://www.calfire.ca.gov/general/firemaps
Current evacuations: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1ASoCEnK1yHaI2Of55E92EXF69JdFdIp-&ll=34.44313119790847%2C-119.65985199584964&z=13
Thomas Fire update: http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1922
@arisamp I like this website for up to date local Santa Barbara news: https://www.edhat.com
Everything should be back to normal by Christmas and I’ll bet you’ll find amazing bargains at hotels and shops.
Yes, @arisamp, things are getting back to normal. Montecito Inn has reopened. Just call ahead to make sure the places you’re interested in are open. For example, Ojai Valley Inn is closed until early Jan.
I was at a local mall yesterday and saw fire trucks pulling into the parking lot. Probably stopping to eat on their way home to Nevada and Redlands. DH and I stopped to thank them. The work they did was incredible.
All evacuation orders and warnings are now lifted. Air quality shows as good all over. I’m happy that most of the firefighters will be able to head home!
Thanks for all the updates and the links. Our plans are still fluid - but it’s good to know that Santa Barbara is coming back to normal!
All evacuation orders have been lifted this morning. @arisamp I think you will be fine as will the poster who has a holiday booked in Ventura. Sky is blue this morning. I think we are all looking forward to some normalcy back on our lives.
I am the poster vacationing in Ventura. It is beautiful. We spent the yesterday downtown, at the pier and by the marina. Today we will be traveling up Hwy 101 to Santa Barbara and possibly to Solvang. Tomorrow we head south along the coast to our hotel near the airport. We’ve had a great time both at Sequoia NP and Ventura.
We have seen a lot of firemen about. I’m not sure if they are transitioning to head home or in between shifts but they seem relaxed. I am so impressed by the magnitude of what they’ve accomplished. For there to have only been two people die in all the destruction is remarkable. It is sad that even those lives were lost but if not for the actions of the firemen and all the other responders this could have been a much greater catastrophe.
@lvvcsf I’m glad you ended up going to Ventura and having a good time.
@arisamp - we went out last night to dinner at a wonderful restaurant Loquita. I had never been and the food was some of the best I’ve had in SB. We sat outside where they have plenty of heaters. The sky was clear and the air felt good to breathe. The shops and restaurants on the entire central coast are hurting. For almost three weeks they have been closed or if open had little business. This for many of them is the time of year that will make or break them. So please visit and dine and shop local. The owners and servers will thank you.