Jesusita Fire
| Jesusita Fire | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Santa Barbara, California, United States |
| Date(s) |
May 5, 2009 - May 18, 2009 [1] 13:30 PDT (21:30 UTC) - 17:00 PDT (13:00 UTC) |
| Burned area | 8,733 acres (35 km2) |
| Ignition source | Sparks off of trail clearing equipment |
| Land use | Residential; Open space |
| Injuries (non-fatal) | 28 |
The Jesusita Fire was a wildfire that began at approximately 1:45 PM on May 5, 2009 in the hills of Santa Barbara, California. The fire burned 8,733 acres (35.34 km2), destroyed 80 homes and damaged 15 more before being 100% contained.[2]
On May 8, 2009, the fire perimeter extended from west of Highway 154, in the hills burned in the 1990 Painted Cave Fire, across the front country of the Santa Ynez Mountains east through Mission Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, and into the hills above Montecito, reaching the area burned by the Goleta Gap Fire in July 2008 and the Montecito Tea Fire in November 2008. Intense sundowner winds caused the fire to spread rapidly during evening and nighttime hours during its first three days.
Cause
As of May 9, 2009, the cause of the fire is thought to be related to the use of a power tool near Jesusita trail. The individual(s) responsible is still unidentified.[3]
Impact
 |
Wikinews has related news: Over 13,500 evacuated after wildfire in California |
Evacuations
All mandatory evacuation orders connected with the fire were lifted as of May 13, 2009.[4]
As of May 9, 2009, approximately 5,894 properties were under mandatory evacuation orders, affecting an estimated 14,735 people. In addition, more than 17,787 properties were under evacuation warning, affecting an estimated 44,467 people. Red Cross had shelters for evacuees at the Multi-Activity Court at the UCSB Recreational Center. From May 5 to May 9, 2009, evacuees were also sheltered at San Marcos High School in Goleta.
Injuries
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Wikinews has related news: Wildfire in California displaces 30,000 |
As of May 11, 2009, there were 28 injuries.[5]
Destruction of property
Much of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden was destroyed on the night of May 7.[6]
The current cost of the fire is estimated at $20 million.
In popular culture
The song Jesusita off the 2011 album Death of a Decade by Ha Ha Tonka is about the Jesusita Fire.
References
- ↑ ^ http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_jesusita.php
- ↑ http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_jesusita.php
- ↑ http://www.independent.com/news/2009/may/10/officials-seek-clues-fire-origin/
- ↑ http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents_jesusita.php
- ↑ http://www.ksby.com/Global/category.asp?C=134797
- ↑ Santa Barbara fire: Botanic garden loses century-old building (Los Angeles Times)
External links
- Erosion Control Resources for Santa Barbara Fire Victims
- VGI Map Referenced by the County
- Los Angeles Times' Google map of evacuation areas, road closures, and damaged homes
- Set of Google Maps enhanced by MODIS, which reads fire/heat by satellite, and video by helicopter from KSBY TV., by Doc Searls
- Time-lapse photos of fire, by a local resident (and evacuee)
- Jesusita Fire Burn Scar, from NASA Earth Observatory
- County of Santa Barbara website with Jesusita Fire information
- Santa Barbara Independent news coverage
- Jesusita burn area of 10,104 acres mapped by GeoVAR using 3D terrain.
Coordinates: 34°27′00″N 119°43′01″W / 34.45°N 119.717°W
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