Over 14,000 Homes Evacuated As Wildfires hit Southern California

by Rob Walker | May 7, 2009 at 05:54 am

1163 views | 46 Recommendations | 6 comments

Thousands of homes in Southern California were evacuated late Wednesday as wildfires raged across more than 200 hectares of land. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency last night and strong winds were forecast for Thursday, heightening fears of the fires spreading.

Santa Barbara officials said 5,430 houses were under mandatory evacuation, leaving over 13,000 people to find a place to stay for the night and worrying about their homes.

The fire, which began Tuesday, appeared to be dying down through most of Wednesday, said the CBC's Steve Futterman, reporting from Santa Barbara. But later that evening, gusts approaching 100 kilometres an hour hit the area, pushing the flames from north to south and into neighbourhoods around the town.
"There was really nothing firefighters could do. They tried to protect as many homes as they could and they were quite successful, but obviously many homes were destroyed," Futterman said. It's not immediately clear exactly how many buildings were destroyed in the blaze, he said, but initial reports indicated at least two dozen were affected.

NowPublic staffer Amy Judd posted on the fires early wednesday, which has some useful background info:

Firefighters worked through the night, dropping water from helicopters and battling the blaze on the ground, to hold back the California wildfires that forced the evacuation of 1,200 homes. About 2,000 homes were in danger of being caught in the blaze that started north of Santa Barbara.

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Mary Richard

at 06:00 on May 7th, 2009

It's so awful to watch those beautiful homes burning ...

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 07:37 on May 7th, 2009

Rob I downloaded some new pictures on Amy's story this morning. (1200 Evacuated I think?)

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:21 on May 7th, 2009

According to FOX News almost 14,000 people have been evacuated now. They're expecting The Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to hold a news conference shortly.

Amy Judd

at 08:47 on May 7th, 2009

The 1,300 acre fire is not contained today:

As dawn broke on Thursday, firefighters got a clearer picture of the devastation caused by the fire.

Television footage showed several multi-million dollar mansions in the Santa Barbara foothills reduced to blackened shells as vast plumes of thick smoke shrouded the region.

A lull in winds gave firefighters a brief respite early Thursday but authorities appealed to residents of the city on Thursday to be ready to evacuate their homes if necessary.

"Get out early that's our message," said Captain Dave Sadecki of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

"If you've been warned, that means pack your car. If you're told to evacuate that means put the keys in ignition and leave."

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 09:22 on May 7th, 2009

The Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger held a Newsconference at 10am PST. Here is a summary of what he had to say:

13,500 homes evacuated

13,000 recommend to evacuate

10 firefighters injured

1400 firefighters and 177 engines fighting the fire

He said this week was Wildfire Awareness Week

He said the people provided the defence against wildfires by being smart

The State provides the offence

90% of fires are caused by Humans.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 09:36 on May 7th, 2009

Winds are expected to pick up to 60 mph in Santa Barbara today.

Amy Judd

at 09:43 on May 7th, 2009

Thanks for the updates here.

danesller0127

at 07:06 on May 8th, 2009

It is so sad that wildfires menaced again in California...

danesller0127

at 07:14 on May 8th, 2009

The latest updates!

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Firefighters struggled Friday to get ahead of a raging wildfire that was moving dangerously close to heavily populated areas in this idyllic coastal city and had forced the evacuation of an estimated 30,000 residents.