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• A wind-driven blaze began raging through the hills above Santa Barbara at approximately 1:45 p.m. on May 5, 2009. Known as the "Jesusita Fire", it has burned 9,000 acres and destroyed or damaged 80 structures.CNN: California Fire Possibly Started by Power Tool (May 11, 2009)

  Fire officials believe fire may have been started by a power tool used to clear brush in the area. Officials asked potential witnesses to come forward with any relevant information. The fire was reported to be 70% contained as of May 11, 2009 and costs related to the fire were up to $10.8 million.LA Times: Santa Barbara Fire: 70% Containment (May 11, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Brush fire broke out on afternoon of May 5, 2009
  2. High winds caused the blaze to spread
  3. May 11, 2009: The majority of the 50,000 people who fled fire had returnedCNN: California Fire Possibly Started by Power Tool (May 11, 2009)
  4. Twenty-eight firefighters have been injured, as of May 11, 2009, though the majority of the injuries were not seriousCNN: California Fire Possibly Started by Power Tool (May 11, 2009)
  5. Fire was said to be 40% contained on the morning of May 10, 2009Los Angeles Times: Weather gives firefighters the advantage in Santa Barbara
  6. As of May 11, 2009, approximately 50,000 people were affected by the fireLA Times: Santa Barbara Fire: 70% Containment (May 11, 2009)
  7. By May 11, 2009, 70 structures, including homes and businesses were damaged or destroyedCNN: California Fire Possibly Started by Power Tool (May 11, 2009)
  8. May 10, 2009: Approximately 31 homes have been destroyed; 47 damagedFOX News: Most California Wildfire Evacuations Being Lifted (May 10, 2009)
  9. Over 8,500 acres burned in Santa Barbara countyCNN: Wildfire scorches 8,600 acres in Southern California (May 9, 2009)
  10. May 10, 2009: The fire was at least 40% contained
  11. Authorities cordoned off the area where it was believed to have originated, a location near the Jesusita hiking trail known as Inspiration Point, in order to investigate the causeLos Angeles Times: Santa Barbara fire: Officials know where wildfire started (May 10, 2009)
  12. Wind gusts on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, were reported to be as high as 60 mphCNN: 13,000 flee as California mansions go up in flames (May 7, 2009)
  13. Area hotels who accepted people with pets included the Hotel Mar Monte, Motel 6, Blue Sands Motel and Secret Garden Inn & Cottages

• 2008 Tea Fire

  A massive wildfire, known as the "Tea Fire," broke out near Santa Barbara on November 13, 2008. By the following morning, the blaze had destroyed more than 100 homes in the town of Montecito, injured more than a dozen people and forced thousands to evacuate.CNN: More Than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008) San Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13 By Sunday, November 16, 2008, the fire was 75% contained, as firefighters were aided by better weather conditions.The Lompoc Record: 'Minimal threat' seen from Tea fire; containment now at 75% (November 16, 2008)

• Tea Fire Fast Facts

  1. Broke out around 6 p.m. on November 13, 2008San Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13
  2. Fire fed by wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hourCNN: More Than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  3. Fire in Montecito burned more than 100 homesCNN: More Than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  4. More than 1,000 other homes were threatenedCNN: More Than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008)
  5. More than 5,000 people evacuatedSan Jose Mercury News: 100 homes destroyed, 4 injured in Montecito fire
  6. At least 13 injuries reportedSan Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13
  7. Fire also reportedly destroyed academic buildings and a dorm at Westmont College in Santa BarbaraSan Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13
  8. Emergency officials said the blaze had grown to about 2,500 acres on the morning of November 14, 2008San Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13
  9. No immediate word on a cause of the blazeSan Jose Mercury News: Raging Calif. fire destroys 100 homes, injures 13
  10. Cost of containment as of November 16: $3.9 millionThe Lompoc Record: 'Minimal threat' seen from Tea fire; containment now at 75% (November 16, 2008)

• Montecito Fire

  The brush fire that began on the evening of November 13, 2008, quickly grew into a massive wildfire, scorching thousands of acres and burning numerous homes in the upscale California community of Montecito. The Montecito fire was threatening thousands of other homes, and many residents were ordered to evacuate as the flames continued to spread on the morning of November 14. Several celebrities own homes in Montecito, including Oprah Winfrey, Rob Lowe, Michael Douglas and John Cleese.CNN: More Than 100 homes burned in California blaze (November 14, 2008) BBC News: Fire destroys California mansions (November 14, 2008)

• Quotes

  "I have so many concerns. It's just moving so fast right now. . . . We're having trouble rounding up enough resources."—Terry McElwee, Montecito Fire DepartmentKTLA.com: At Least 100 Homes Destroyed by Montecito Wildfire (November 14, 2008)

  "I saw flames about 100 feet high in the air shooting up with the wind just howling. Now when the wind howls and you've got palm trees and eucalyptus trees that are literally exploding with their hot oil, you've got these big, red hot embers that are flying through the sky and are catching anything on fire."—Tyler Rollema, student at Westmont CollegeKTLA.com: At Least 100 Homes Destroyed by Montecito Wildfire (November 14, 2008)

• Emergency Phone Numbers

  • County Tea Fire Call Center: 805-681-5197KEYT.com: 6:30 a.m Tea Fire Evacuation Orders and Fire Information (November 14, 2008)
  • Animal Hotline : 805-681-4332KEYT.com: 6:30 a.m Tea Fire Evacuation Orders and Fire Information (November 14, 2008)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Montecito Fire | Tea Fire | Westmont College | Marek Wildfires | Napa Valley Wildfire | California Fires | California Wildfires June 2008 | Los Angeles | California | Malibu Fire | Sierra Madre Wildfire | Canyon Country Fire | San Diego Fire | Sesnon Fire | Santa Ana Winds | Fontana Wildfire | Sepulveda Pass Fire | Santa Barbara | Sundowner Winds | Alhambra Fire | Marc Torchi

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