Environment

Santa Barbara Jesusita fires helped by cooler weather and fog

by Amy Judd | May 9, 2009 at 09:47 am

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The Santa Barbara Jesusita fires seem to be slowing down today as cooler weather and fog are aiding the firefighters to get the fires under control before it destroys any more homes or land.

"The fog has helped the fire to lay down," Chris Hahn, Santa Barbara County deputy fire chief, said at a morning news conference. "Overnight, fire activity has been fairly inactive actually because of this."

About 8,700 acres have been burned since the fires started on Tuesday and about 80 homes have been damaged. The weather today however is:

temperatures are going to be lower, humidity is going to be higher, and the winds are going to be diminished. So that's good news," Hahn said.

It doesn't mean the fires will be out today though, as the weather can change at any moment.

The weather was supposed to be like this on Thursday night, but a sudden change of wind movement made the fires worse and blew it towards houses at 50 mph.

Over 30,000 people have been evacuated in Santa Barbara and about 23,000 are in an evacuation warning zone. 12,200 businesses were also in the mandatory evacuation zone, but most mandatory evacuations have been lifted now.

"We're doing everything we can to get people back into their homes," Hahn said. "One of the major priorities is getting people back in. But the thing that trumps that is their safety, and that is what we are working on right now."

No one has died in the fires, but 13 firefighters have been injured.

It is still not known what caused the fires however, and anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Barbara police hotline.

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samantha_jean

at 11:35 on May 9th, 2009

I work at the Cliff House Inn,over a hand full of miles down the road from Santa Barbara, and we filled with guest that had been evacuated from there homes since Wednesday night. I want to thank everyone working so hard back in Santa Barbara to bring these wonderful people back to there homes and lives. Wish everyone the best of luck and safety!! We all love you for your hard work and dedication in saving are hillsides, homes, family's and the beautiful nature that surrounds us living it this beautiful area!! We will forever be grateful!