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Gibraltar Fire: Size estimate reduced, but evacuation warnings remain in hills above Santa Barbara, Montecito
A DC-10 air tanker makes a drop in the foothill above Santa Barbara-Montecito on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015.
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Via Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department
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The Gibraltar Fire area following air drops, as seen on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015.
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via Los Padres National Forest
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Windy, dry Santa Ana conditions fueled a brush fire in the hills above Santa Barbara and Montecito on Thursday, October 29, 2015.
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Santa Barbara County Fire Department
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A DC-10 air tanker makes a drop in the foothill above Santa Barbara-Montecito on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015.
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Via Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department
)
From Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesman Mike Eliason on Thursday, October 29, 2015: "A BAe-146 air tanker makes a drop on the fire."
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Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department
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From Santa Barbara County Fire Department Public Education Officer Mike Eliason on October 29, 2015: "A BAe-146 air tanker makes a phos-chek drop on the western flank."
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Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department
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From Santa Barbara County Fire Department Public Education Officer Mike Eliason on October 29, 2015: "An MD-80 air tanker makes a Phos-Chek drop on the west flank of the fire."
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Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department
)
A brush fire broke out in the hills above Montecito and Santa Barbara in the pre-dawn hours Thursday and quickly grew, fanned by high winds and dry Santa Ana conditions. The Gibraltar Fire had grown to about 70 acres by 9 a.m. Evacuation warnings are in effect for some communities in the area.
Updates
- 5:45 p.m. Gibraltar Fire size estimate reduced but evacuation warnings remain
- 3:13 p.m. Smoke, ash lead to Air Quality Watch issued for Montecito
- 11:00 a.m. Pet boarding available; road closures
- 10:38 a.m. Evacuation warning zone expanded
- 10:04 a.m. Fire grows to 70 acres; firefighters battle wind
- 7:59 a.m. Evacuation warnings in place
- 7:03 a.m. Brush fire breaks out in hills above Santa Barbara, Montecito
Fire Tracker: Gibraltar Fire in Santa Barbara County
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Update 5:45 p.m. Gibraltar Fire size estimate reduced but evacuation warnings remain
The Gibraltar brush fire was 10 percent contained as of late Thursday afternoon according to a press release from the agencies involved in fighting the fire.
Evacuation warnings are set to remain in effect until 8 a.m. Friday, according to the release.
Officials also downgraded their estimate of the size of the fire, going from 70 acres to 50 acres due to what they said was improved information from both the air and field observers.
The fire continues to burn about three to five miles from populated areas, with the threat of the fire potentially spreading remaining until winds subside, according to the release.
No evacuation center had been established as of Thursday afternoon, but the Red Cross was on standby if needed, according to the release.
Update 3:13 p.m. Smoke, ash lead to Air Quality Watch issued for Montecito
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An Air Quality Watch has been issued for the Montecito area of Santa Barbara County due to smoke and ash from the Gibraltar Fire. The watch is set to remain in effect "as long as conditions warrant."
The levels of smoke, particles in the air and the areas affected will depend largely on winds and fire containment, according to the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.
The watch warns that, if you see or smell smoke where you are, to be cautious and use common sense to protect yourself and others.
"Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children, should limit time spent outdoors, and avoid outdoor exercise when high concentrations of smoke and particles are in the air," according to the warning.
The watch says that if you have symptoms that are potentially related to exposure to ash, contact your health care provider. Symptoms include repeated coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, chest pain, palpitations, nausea and unusual fatigue or lightheadedness.
The watch also asks that people avoid stirring up ash and soot particles when cleaning up, noting that people should particularly avoid using leaf blowers and ask landscaping services not to use them as well.
— KPCC staff
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Updated 11:00 a.m.: Pet boarding available; road closures
The Santa Barbara County Humane Society at 5399 Overpass Road is accepting animals for boarding, according to a statement from the Montecito Fire Protection District.
The fire protection district also reports the following roads have been closed:
- East Camino Cielo at Painted Cave Road to Gibraltar Road
- W. Mountain Drive at Gibraltar Road
Updated 10:38 a.m.: Evacuation warning zone expanded
The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management has expanded the areas under evacuation warnings.
The area now includes zones 2 through 5.
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Updated 10:04 a.m.: Fire grows to 70 acres; firefighters battle wind
The brush fire burning in the hills above Montecito and Santa Barbara grew to about 70 acres Thursday morning as firefighters contended with high winds in their efforts to contain it.
Two firefighting aircraft were unable to drop retardant because of air turbulence as of 8:45 a.m. One other air tanker made a successful drop of 1,200 gallons.
The Gibraltar Fire in Santa Barbara County was being fanned by 10 mph to 15 mph winds, according to the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management.
When those winds sweep down the mountains toward the sea, they create dangerous air turbulence that can prevent aircraft from getting close enough to drop, said Jim Kunkle, a contractor who runs the Santa Maria Air Tanker Base.
The Forest Service has ordered more than 10 tankers, Kunkle said via a statement from the emergency management office.
"They're going after everything they can get," he said.
Updated 7:59 a.m.: Evacuation warnings in place
Evacuation warnings have been issued for areas near a brush fire burning in the hills above Santa Barbara and Montecito.
According to the Montecito Fire Protection District, those areas include:
North of Hwy 192, East of Cold Springs, West of Buena Vista, South of East Camino Cielo. (Evacuation Zones 3, 4, and 5 )
Click for full-size map. Credit: Montecito Fire Protection District
7:03 a.m.: Brush fire breaks out in hills above Santa Barbara, Montecito
A brush fire has broken out in the area of Montecito Peak near Santa Barbara.
Windy, dry Santa Ana conditions are fueling the fire, which was first reported at 5:16 a.m. and has spread to about 25 acres, according to the Montecito Fire Protection District.
Santa Barbara County fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni tells the Associated Press winds of 25 mph are pushing the fire to the east and no homes are threatened.
No evacuations have been reported, but authorities were urging residents to tune into AM 1610 and listen for any updates.
The fire broke out a half mile from Camino Cielo, west of Montecito Peak, authorities say.
A helicopter and 10 engines are on scene to assist hand crews working on the ground, and a unified command is being established with Montecito Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and Santa Barbara city and county fire departments.
Northerly gusts are expected to shift to the northeast Thursday night, becoming the first significant Santa Ana wind event of the season, AP reports.
This story has been updated.
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