Jesusita Fire Info

Updates for the Jesusita Fire

5 p.m. Thursday, May 14

Fire officials have lifted all evacuation warnings, including the one affecting Westmont. The Jesusita Fire is now 90 percent contained, with full containment expected May 20.

Our public safety officers will continue their close coordination with local emergency officials to help us respond quickly in the event of future emergencies.

Westmont officials deeply appreciate the cooperation, flexibility and wonderful spirit demonstrated by the college community and the many fire and law enforcement personnel who have been so gracious and helpful throughout the past week. We also thank our extended community for their ongoing prayers and concerns.

Noon, Thursday, May 14

The Jesusita Fire is now 90 percent contained, with full containment expected May 20. Areas of Montecito, including Westmont, remain under an evacuation warning, and fire officials are monitoring conditions in Cold Spring Canyon carefully. Until the fire is declared fully controlled, officials may need to issue evacuation orders again. While it's safe to be on campus, faculty, staff and students must remain vigilant and be ready to leave immediately should the evacuation order be reinstated.

Our public safety officers will be closely coordinating with local emergency officials to help us respond quickly if necessary. If you see smoke, please report it immediately to 565-6222. We want to validate all reports and minimize false alarms.

As long as there is no change with the fire, Mayterm will continue on campus, and faculty and staff will report to work as usual.

9:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 13

Montecito remains under an evacuation warning, and fire officials are monitoring conditions in Cold Spring Canyon carefully. A change in the weather could require fire officials to issue evacuation orders again. While it isn’t unsafe to be on campus, faculty, staff and students must remain vigilant and be ready to leave immediately should the evacuation order be reinstated.

Additional public safety officers will be on duty overnight, and we have posted a 24-hour fire watch. If you see smoke, please report it immediately to 565-6222. We want to validate all reports and minimize false alarms.

As long as there is no change with the fire, Mayterm will continue on campus Thursday, May 14

6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 12

Montecito remains under an evacuation warning, and fire officials are monitoring conditions in Cold Spring Canyon carefully. A change in the weather could require fire officials to issue evacuation orders again. While it isn’t unsafe to be on campus, faculty, staff and students must remain vigilant and be ready to leave immediately should the evacuation order be reinstated.

Additional public safety officers will be on duty overnight, and we have posted a 24-hour fire watch. If you see smoke, please report it immediately to 565-6222. We want to validate all reports and minimize false alarms.

As long as there is no change with the fire, Mayterm will continue on campus Wednesday, May 13. The Faculty-Staff Appreciation Brunch will occur as planned at 10:30 a.m. and will take place in Murchison Gym.

8:30 p.m. Monday, May 11

Mayterm will begin Tuesday, May 12, and the campus will be open. Faculty and staff should report for work as usual on Tuesday.

Montecito remains under an evacuation warning, and fire officials are monitoring conditions in Cold Spring Canyon carefully. A change in the weather could require fire officials to issue evacuation orders again. While it isn't unsafe to be on campus, faculty, staff and students must remain vigilant and be ready to leave immediately should the evacuation order be reinstated.

9:30 p.m. Sunday, May 10

Westmont will be open Monday, May 11, and faculty and staff should report for work as usual. Fire officials lifted the mandatory evacuation order in Montecito this morning. However, the area remains under an evacuation warning. The fire is still smoldering in Cold Spring Canyon, and a change in the weather could require fire officials to issue evacuation orders again. While it isn't unsafe to be on campus, faculty, staff and students must remain vigilant and be ready to leave immediately should the evacuation order be reinstated.

Mayterm will begin Tuesday, May 12. Mayterm housing check-in will take place in Page Hall on Monday, May 11, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Students living in Mayterm housing will be able to stay in their spring housing rooms tonight. More information about Mayterm will be posted on the Web site on Monday.

8:45 a.m. Sunday, May 10

Fire officials announced at 8 a.m. this morning that they were lifting the mandatory evacuation order in Montecito at 10 a.m. This means that students who need to check out of their rooms today can drive directly to campus after 10 a.m. No one will be allowed into the area before 10 a.m.

All students checking out, their parents and helpers, and any faculty and staff who wish to get to campus should be aware that it is under an evacuation warning. The fire is still burning in Cold Spring Canyon, and a change in the weather could require fire officials to evacuate the area again. Anyone going to campus must remain vigilant and be ready to leave immediately should the evacuation order be reinstated.

Students who wish to go to campus today between 9-10 a.m. must still follow the directions sent in the e-mail Saturday evening. Do not drive directly to campus until after 10 a.m.

Mayterm will begin Tuesday, May 12, as announced yesterday. More information about Mayterm will be posted on the Web site today and tomorrow.

As long as the evacuation order is not reinstated, Mayterm housing check-in will take place in Page Hall on Monday, May 11, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Students living in Mayterm housing will be able to stay in their spring housing rooms tonight.

10 p.m. Saturday, May 9

Westmont students who are not planning to live in Mayterm housing but need to pack up their belongings and check out of their rooms will be able to do so Sunday, May 10, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Apart from the special arrangements made with law enforcement, students (or parents or other helpers) will NOT be allowed to drive to campus, which remains closed and under an evacuation order. You will need to follow the directions sent in an all-student e-mail. If you didn't get that e-mail, please contact stulife@westmont.edu.

We expect that students attending Mayterm will be able to move out of their old rooms and into their Mayterm housing in the next few days. Please check the Web site for important updates about Mayterm on Sunday and Monday.

5 p.m. Saturday, May 9

Westmont remains under a mandatory evacuation order, which means the campus is closed.

Students who need temporary housing or other assistance should send an email to stulife@westmont.edu

Mayterm will begin Tuesday, May 12, whether or not the evacuation order has been lifted. Please check the Web site on Monday, May 11, for details about the location of classes, purchasing books, and other Mayterm-related information.

Please check the Web site regularly for more information about checkout. College officials are actively working with law enforcement to expedite this process.

8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 9

Westmont remains under a mandatory evacuation order, and the college will be closed until the order is lifted. There will be an update this evening about checkout tomorrow, Sunday, May 10.

12 p.m. Friday, May 8
Information about Baccalaureate

Because of the mandatory evacuation order affecting Montecito, Baccalaureate will take place at 5 p.m. at La Playa Stadium at Santa Barbara City College, the same location as Commencement. The gates will open at 4 p.m.

No tickets are necessary for graduates or their guests attending Baccalaureate as there is plenty of seating available.

Seniors can pick up caps and gowns from the Cap & Gown Truck beginning at 2 p.m. in the small parking lot to the left of the City College gym on Loma Alta.

Seniors should arrive well before the class photo, which will take place at 4 p.m. at the patio outside the City College gym.

Ushers for Baccalaureate should arrive by 3:30 p.m.

Choir and orchestra members need to be at La Playa stadium by 4 p.m. today. Transportation to La Playa Stadium will be provided by the college for all students at the temporary gathering place at Reality Carpinteria.

A collaborative Google map lists the most current evacuation area. For additional information, see local news media Web sites: KEYT TV, noozhawk.com and independent.com.

10 a.m. Friday May 8

The Golden Warriors will meet at 12 noon at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 5073 Hollister Avenue. Bring a lunch. Directions: Exit 101 at Turnpike, go south and take Turnpike to Hollister Avenue. Turn right onto Hollister. At Walnut, the second signal, make a U-turn. The church is on the south side of Hollister about a half block down from Walnut.

Westmont has established a temporary gathering space at Reality Carpenteria located at:

5251 6th St.
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-5247

In addition college and church officials are working on temporary housing for students who are in need of a place to stay. Further details about housing will be available at the church.

9 a.m. Friday May 8

Parents will be escorted by law enforcement officials up to campus to retrieve students and student belongings until 1 p.m. today.

8 a.m. Friday, May 8

The mandatory evacuation area has extended to include Westmont. The campus is now closed. Faculty and staff should not report to work. We will announce plans for baccalaureate as soon as possible.

Everyone on campus will be evacuated off campus throughout the morning. We will post updates regularly during the day.

10 p.m. Thursday, May 7

Local fire officials assure Westmont that the campus should remain out of danger tonight and tomorrow. They do not expect to extend the evacuation warning or evacuation order area to include the college in the next 24-48 hours. As a result, we foresee no need to evacuate the campus tonight, and students will be able to stay in their rooms.

Faculty and staff should plan to come to work Friday as the college will be open for business and events will proceed as planned. Those with special circumstances (their homes are in evacuation areas or their children are home due to school closures) should discuss the situation with their supervisors.

The fire has grown considerably on the western edge, away from the campus. Please pray for all those who have lost homes or whose homes are in danger and must evacuate. And please remember all the firefighters and law enforcement personnel working throughout the night.

Noon Thursday, May 7

The city of Santa Barbara announced that it has set up four information kiosks that will be constantly updated with maps and other information.

There are two on State Street. One of these is outside the Paseo Nuevo mall, where State intersects with De la Guerra Street; the other is in Loreto Plaza, at State and Las Positas Road. A third is near Scolari’s market, 222 North Milpas Street. The fourth is at Lazy Acres, 302 Meigs Road.

7 a.m. Thursday, May 7

The Senior Celebration has been relocated to the Cabrillo Arts Center located at 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd on East Beach. Parking in the lots adjacent to the center will not be monitored tonight and is free during this event.

The Cap & Gown Mobile will be parked outside the center following the event to distribute caps & gowns to seniors from 6-7 p.m. If you are unable to make it tonight, caps & gowns will again be available in the Page parking lot on Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Counselors are available to students in the health and counseling center.

5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6

The Jesusita Fire has expanded recently. Although the mandatory evacuation and warning areas have also grown, Westmont is not within either the mandatory evacuation or the evacuation warning areas. We remain in close contact with fire officials.

While we do not anticipate needing to shelter-in-place, we have taken the precaution of preparing the gym in the event that evacuation becomes necessary at a later date. The campus is operating normally.

Please pray for all those in the affected areas.

Mandatory evacuation area: All locations east of Alamar Road (western boundary), from Foothill Road south to State Street, State Street to Constance, east on Constance to Los Olivos, Los Olivios to Alameda Padre Serra, Alameda Padre Serra to Sycamore Canyon Road (eastern boundary), north on Sycamore Canyon to Hwy 192 westbound to El Cielito

Evacuation warning area: All other previous evacuation warning areas remain in effect. Coyote Road (eastern boundary), La Cumbre Road (western boundary) north to East Camino Cielo

Air Quality Warning Continues for Southern Santa Barbara

Public Health Contact: Michele Mickiewicz, Public Information Officer, 805-681-5446 or 805-451-3497 (cell)

Air Pollution Control District Contact: Tom Murphy, Technology and Environmental Assessment Division Manager 805-961-8857, 805-403-1096 (cell) or Bobbie Bratz, Public Information Officer, 805-455-6403 (cell)

High Winds Forecast to Continue; Smoke and Soot from Jesusita Fire

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District today are reissuing an Air Quality Warning for Southern Santa Barbara; areas affected may vary depending on wind direction. Air quality continues to be poor in some parts due to smoke from the Jesusita fire, and winds may stir soot particles from burned areas into the air.

If you see or smell smoke in the air where you are, be cautious and use common sense to protect your family’s health. Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children, should limit time spent outdoors, and avoid outdoor exercise when smoke is in the area. If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to exposure to smoke and particles, including repeated coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your health care provider.

Levels of smoke and particles will depend on changes in winds, and the movement of the fire. Residents are also cautioned to avoid stirring up soot particles during cleanup. This Air Quality Warning will be updated on May 7 (or earlier if conditions warrant).

For more information see www.OurAir.org, and for recorded advisory updates, call 805-961-8802.

8:20 a.m. Wednesday, May 6

Fire Status

  • 196 acres burned; no containment estimate
  • No homes damaged or destroyed
  • 1200 homes evacuated
  • More than 200 firefighters
  • 4 fixed wing aircraft and 6 helicopters
  • No injuries
  • Cause under investigation: Tip line – 805-686-5074

Shelter Location

  • Dos Pueblos High School
    7266 Alameda Avenue, Goleta
  • 11 people at shelter

Key Phone Numbers

  • County Jesusita Fire Call Center – 805-681-5197
  • Animal Hotline – 805-681-4332

Road Closure Information

Schools closures:

  • California Learning Center
  • San Roque
  • Marymount
  • Santa Barbara Middle School
  • Sunrise Montessori
  • Little Angels Pre-School
  • Parma Children’s Center
  • Notre Dame
  • Monte Vista Elementary
  • Hope School Elementary
  • Peabody Charter
  • Cesar Chavez Charter
  • Roosevelt Elementary
  • Cleveland Elementary
  • Franklin Elementary
  • First Presbyterian Child Care Center
General Information

As of Wednesday morning, the Jesusita Fire has burned nearly 200 acres above San Roque Canyon, about six miles west of Westmont. At present, it poses no danger to campus. Officials have evacuated residents of about 1,200 homes above Foothill Road in the Mission Canyon area, but none are immediately threatened. More favorable winds last night helped firefighters keep the blaze from spreading, and it appears diminished this morning. College officials continue to monitor the situation.

County officials say the fire is making its way northward up the mountain after starting at about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday near Spyglass Ridge Road, west of Inspiration Point. Firefighters with Santa Barbara city, county and the U.S. Forest Service as well as crews from throughout Southern California are battling the flames, and firefighting aircraft have been called to the scene and will be working throughout the day.

Because the greater Santa Barbara area is just coming out of the wet season, the area brush isn’t as dry as it was during the Tea Fire. This has resulted in a cooler fire and slower movement than we saw in November during the Tea Fire. The fire department is concentrating its efforts on the south flank of the fire, where there are homes within half a mile of the flames. There is no wind this morning, but sundowner winds could develop late in the afternoon.