So, it's day 12 of the Thomas Fire, as it creeps into Santa Barbara, mass evacuations have occured with nearly 30,000 people leaving today. One firefighter passed away a few days ago trying to extinguish it. To give you a sense of the size of this, here's the fire overlaid some major metropolitan areas:
Actual:
The fire is combining with Sundowner/Santa Ana Winds which pick up embers and carry them miles in unpredictable directions, after which the dry conditions provide perfect tinder for rapidly growing fires. Currently there's around 9000 firefighters on site with nearly 1000 engines, but the terrain is so difficult they often can't use water to fight this, and the winds disrupt aerial efforts.
Didn't take this, but basically has been the view the last 4 nights as it creeps closer:
Realize this doesn't affect most here, but it's frightening times out west. Planning on leaving the area Monday.
Live Cam Overlooking Santa Barbara - (
New Window )
Apparently there's firefighters here from 14 states, including NY and Alaska. Quite an effort
Hope all the SoCal gang will be OK.