Extreme Winds Drive Wildfire Above Santa Barbara

According to catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide, in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains east of Santa Barbara, California, over 1,000 firefighters battled a fast-moving blaze near the town of Montecito that began Thursday evening.

By mid-morning Friday, the fire had burned through 2,500 acres of land, destroyed more than 100 homes, many of them multi-million dollar mansions, and raged across the Westmont College campus, burning several dormitories, faculty housing, and other buildings. Before noon, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County.

"The fire roared down through local canyons fed by fierce Sundowner winds, the local name for Santa Ana-like winds, with one gust recorded at over 70 mph," said Dr. Tomas Girnius, senior research scientist at AIR Worldwide. "Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Montecito, parts of Santa Barbara, and other areas within Santa Barbara County. The fire, which is named the Tea Fire since it is thought to have begun near the Tea Garden area above Santa Barbara, temporarily knocked out power to more than 20,000 homes in the city."

Fire and water officials in Santa Barbara and Montecito say reservoirs have dropped to "dangerously low levels" because firefighters are using so much water. People throughout Santa Barbara County are being urged to conserve water.

"The winds weakened this morning, slowing the spread of the fire and allowing the firefighters, helped by a fleet of 19 water-dropping helicopters and air tankers, to mount an aggressive counter attack," continued Dr. Girnius. "However, the winds are forecast to pick up again and to continue through at least Saturday."

The Montecito area has one of the most exclusive zip codes in the country. The median sale price of homes in the luxury neighborhoods that dot the coastal foothills is about $2.7 million. Many of the properties in the area are characterized by Spanish Colonial Revival 5th architecture. Buildings are constructed of stucco walls and chimney finishes, have shed (flat) roofs covered with low-pitched clay tile and terra cotta or cast-concrete ornaments. The homes generally have little cleared area separating them from the surrounding vegetation, which consists of an equal mix of chaparral, brush, and conifers. However, in many cases, even homes that do have partial setbacks will be affected by encroaching flames, depending on the direction of the fire and accompanying winds.

"The Santa Barbara area previously has suffered major fires similar to the Tea Fire," said Dr. Girnius. "In 1964 the Coyote Fire burned 67,000 acres and damaged 150 houses and buildings, and in 1977 the Sycamore Canyon Fire burned over 800 acres and more than 200 houses."