KCSB-FM 91.9 in Santa Barbara » News

Tea Fire 100% Contained

News Director — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:28:15 +0000

This is the latest update as of 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. Most notable — the Tea Fire is 100% contained.

The cause of the Tea Fire remains under investigation. If you have information about the fire, please call the Sheriff’s anonymous tip hotline 805-681-4171. For general information, the public may call (805) 681-5197. Road closure information is available at 805/568-3006.

Fire Status
• A total of 1,940 acres were burned
• Fire is 100% contained
• 210 residences destroyed: 130 in the City of Santa Barbara, 80 in County of Santa Barbara; 9 residences damaged
• Damage assessment is continuing
• 319 parcels currently remain under evacuation
• 756 firefighters and support personnel still working
• 22 injuries from smoke inhalation
• 3 burn injuries
• Estimated firefighting cost to date $5.7 million dollars

Residents are advised to use caution when using Highway 154 or to use Highway 101 as an alternate route due to fire equipment moving between Live Oak Camp and the Tea Fire lines.

Damage Assessment Information
Preliminary property assessments have been completed by the City of Santa Barbara Fire Department and the Montecito Fire Department for properties affected by the Tea Fire. A list of properties believed to have been significantly damaged by the fire is available on the County and City websites:

www.countyofSB.org or www.santabarbaraca.gov

Evacuation Area
Effective 6:00 p.m., November 17, 2008, the Tea Fire mandatory evacuation order has been modified. The only remaining mandatory evacuation areas are:

• West Mountain Drive between El Cielito Road and Coyote Road
• Gibraltar Road north of El Cielito Road to East Camino Cielo

All other previously listed mandatory evacuation order areas are lifted and are now open to residents with government-issued identification (driver’s license, ID card, etc) or a government-issued identification card along with a utility bill, mail showing physical address, etc.

Tea Fire: Monday Morning Update

News Director — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:23:56 +0000

This is the latest as of 8:45 a.m.

The cause of the Tea Fire remains under investigation. If you have information about the fire, please call the Sheriff’s anonymous tip hotline 805-681-4171.

Fire Status
• 1,940 acres burned
• Containment estimated at 95%
• 210 residences destroyed, 130 City of SB, 80 County of SB, and 9 damaged
• Damage assessment is continuing
• 319 parcels currently remain under evacuation
• More than 1,300 firefighters and support personnel
• 22 injuries from smoke inhalation
• 3 burn injuries
• Estimated firefighting cost to date $4,900,000
• Estimated containment date 11/17/2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Residents are advised to use caution when using Highway 154 or to use Highway 101 as an alternate route due to fire equipment moving between Live Oak Camp and the Tea Fire lines.

Damage Assessment Lists & Information available at:
Preliminary property assessments have been completed by the City of Santa Barbara Fire Department and the Montecito Fire Department for properties affected by the Tea Fire. A list of properties believed to have been significantly damaged by the fire is available on the County and City websites:

www.countyofSB.org or www.santabarbaraca.gov

Property owners with questions regarding the status of their property may also call the following telephone numbers:

• County Emergency Call Center at (805) 681-5197

• SB Co. Chapter of the American Red Cross at (805) 687-1331.

The City and County building divisions are in the process of conducting more detailed damage assessment of structures in the affected area. These lists will be updated as additional information becomes available. … Due to evacuations currently in place, residents may not be able to access properties on the list at this time.

Shelter Location
• San Marcos High School at corner of Turnpike & Hollister
• 15 people at shelter

Key Phone Numbers
• Tea Fire Information Center – 805/681-5197
• Animal Hotline – 805/681-4332

Road Closure Information
• Road Closure Hotline - 805/568-3006
• www.countyofsb.org/pwd/roads/closure.htm

Evacuation Area
The mandatory evacuation order for areas affected by the Tea Fire now includes only the following streets.

• Camino Alto
• Conejo Lane
• Conejo Road
• Ealand Place
• Orizaba Lane
• Sherman Road
• West Mountain Drive between El Cielito Road and Coyote Road
• Gibraltar Road north of El Cielito Rd to East Camino Cielo

Barricades remain in effect at the following locations and residents may gain access with identification:
Stanwood at Mission Ridge Road
Loma Media at Los Alturas
Las Alturas at APS
Sycamore Canyon at 5 Pts
Las Alturas at Mission Ridge Road (no Conejo Road access permitted)
Rockwood Drive at El Cielito Road
El Cielito at Mount Calvary Road
Coyote Road at East Mountain Drive (south on Coyote restricted to residents only)
Chelham Way at Sycamore Canyon Road (westbound residents only on Sycamore Canyon)

Barricades with prohibited access are at the following locations:
Orizaba Lane at Stanwood Drive
Conejo Road at Las Alturas
Camino Alto at Las Alturas
Conejo Road at Stanwood Drive
El Cielito Road at Gibraltar Road (no northbound access up Gibraltar Road)
El Cielito Road at Mountain Drive (no access to Mountain Drive)
Coyote Road at East Mountain Drive (no access westbound on Mountain Drive

Please check the website of our emergency-information partner, The Santa Barbara Independent, for more coverage (www.independent.com).

Tea Fire: Sunday Night Update

News Director — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:41:16 +0000

Official information as of 6:15 p.m.
*The cause of the Tea Fire remains under investigation. If you have information about the fire, please call the Sheriff’s anonymous tip hotline 805-681-4171.
*Statistics
• 1,940 acres burned
• Containment estimated at 80%
• 210 residences destroyed, 9 damaged
• Damage assessment is continuing
• 260 homes currently remain under evacuation
• More than 1,300 firefighters and support personnel
• 22 injuries from smoke inhalation
• 3 burn injuries
• Estimated firefighting cost to date $4,600,000
• Estimated containment date 11/19/2008

www.countyofSB.org or www.santabarbaraca.gov

Property owners with questions regarding the status of their property may also call the following telephone numbers:
• County Emergency Call Center at (805) 681-5197
• SB Co. Chapter of the American Red Cross at (805) 687-1331.

The City and County building divisions are in the process of conducting more detailed damage assessment of structures in the affected area. These lists will be updated as additional information becomes available. * Due to evacuations currently in place, residents may not be able to access properties on the list at this time.

Shelter Location
• San Marcos High School at corner of Turnpike & Hollister
• 15 people at shelter

Key Phone Numbers
• Tea Fire Information Center – 805/681-5197
• Animal Hotline – 805/681-4332

Road Closure Information
• Road Closure Hotline - 805/568-3006
• www.countyofsb.org/pwd/roads/closure.htm

Evacuation Area
The mandatory evacuation order for areas affected by the Tea Fire now includes only the following streets.
• Camino Alto
• Conejo Lane
• Conejo Road
• Ealand Place
• Orizaba Lane
• Sherman Road
• West Mountain Drive between El Cielito Road and Coyote Road
• Gibraltar Road north of El Cielito Rd to East Camino Cielo

Barricades remain in effect at the following locations and residents may gain access with identification:

Stanwood at Mission Ridge Road
Loma Media at Los Alturas
Las Alturas at APS
Sycamore Canyon at 5 Pts
Las Alturas at Mission Ridge Road (no Conejo Road access permitted)
Rockwood Drive at El Cielito Road
El Cielito at Mount Calvary Road
Coyote Road at East Mountain Drive (south on Coyote restricted to residents only)
Chelham Way at Sycamore Canyon Road (westbound residents only on Sycamore Canyon)

Please visit the website our of emergency information partner, The Santa Barbara Independent, for more coverage at www.independent.com.

Democracy Now! Canceled for Friday November 14th

Associate News — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:10:06 +0000

UPDATE (7:10pm): Listen to the 4pm press conference with Santa Barbara County and City emergency in its entirety below.

UPDATE (4:00pm): Listen LIVE to the press conference with Santa Barbara County and City emergency on KCSB-FM 91.9. We will carry the remainder of today’s Democracy Now as time permits.

KCSB will air a press conference with Santa Barbara County and City emergency officials beginning at 4:00pm. The press conference will occur on the steps of Santa Barbara City Hall. As a result, we will not air Democracy Now! You can listen to Democracy Now! by clicking here.

Paul Wellman Reports From “Mop Up” Area (Friday 11/14 @ 2:27pm)

Chief Engineer — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:11:15 +0000

Paul Wellman of The Independent reports live on KCSB-FM from the “mop up” area on Mountain Drive, near the intersection of Mountain Drive and Coyote Road. He described being in the middle of the fire as it grew larger last evening.

Ray Ford Reports On Tea Fire (Friday 11/14 @ 11:15am)

Chief Engineer — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:49:07 +0000

The Independent is reporting that because water reserves are low, crews fighting the Tea Fire announced this morning that they want Santa Barbara residents to use as little water as possible. Turn off your lawn sprinklers and keep personal use to minimum.

Direct Relief International (DRI), in cooperation with the Santa Barbara County Health
Department and the City of Santa Barbara will be distributing free NIOSH N-95 face masks to residents between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2008 at MacKenzie Park in the parking lot off Los Positas Road.

DRI has a very limited supply of masks so please request only what you absolutely need if you cannot avoid outdoor exposure to the smoke generated by the Tea Fire.

Also, Ray Ford reports that it is anticipated that the winds will pick up as the day progresses, and that Rattlesnake Canyon is very critical right now, as the fire is making it’s way up the west side of Rattlesnake Canyon. If it reaches the West Ridge of Rattlesnake, the next stop for the fire is Mission Canyon.

You can listen to Ray Ford’s full report below.

Fire in Sycamore Canyon (Tea Fire); Evacuations Ordered

webmaster — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:02:56 +0000

NOTE: DUE THE LARGE AMOUNT OF WEB TRAFFIC WE ARE EXPERIENCING, OUR SITE MAY BE SLOW AT TIMES. PLEASE BEAR WITH US.

UPDATE (9:20AM): Here are the latest evacuation orders and school closures as issued by the County of Santa Barbara:

Fire Status:
2,000 to 2,500 acres burned
Approximately 100 homes burned
5,446 homes evacuated
More than 500 firefighers
10 injuries from smoke inhalation
3 burn injuries

Schools Closed:
Marymount of Santa Barbara
Cleveland Elementary School
Cold Springs Elementary School
Laguna Blanca Lower Campus
Notre Dame School
All Saints By The Sea Parish
El Montecito School
Star King Parent Child Workshop, Continuing Education
Providence Hall High School
Anacapa School
Montecito Union School District
The Montecito Family YMCA Preschool and Afterschool
Bishop García Diego High School
San Roque Middle School & High School
Crane Country Day School
Caesar Chavez School
Franklin School

Shelter Location:

San Marcos High School
Corner of Turnpike & Hollister
210 people at shelter

Key Phone Numbers:

County Tea Fire Call Center ???? 805/681-5197
Animal Hotline ???? 805/681-4332

Road Closure Information
Road Closure Hotline - 805/568-3006
http://www.countyofsb.org/pwd/roads/closure.htm

Evacuation Area
Mandatory evacuation orders are issued for:
North of 192 between Hot Springs and Mission Canyon
All of Sycamore Canyon
North of 192 between Sycamore Canyon and Gibralter Rd.
Hot Springs (eastern boundary) to Tunnel Rd. (western boundary) from
Hwy 192 @ Hot Springs to Barker Pass to Alameda Padre Sierra (southern boundary) to Camino Cielo (northern boundary)
Both sides of Tunnel Rd. above Montrose
Only residents on the east side of Tunnel Rd. below Montrose
Residents on Gibralter Rd. above the west fork of the Cold Springs Trail should evacuate to the North via Camino Cielo. Residents below the west fork should evacuate to the South

Evacuation warnings issued for:
North of 192 from Hot Springs Rd. east to San Ysidro Rd.
Mission Canyon north of Foothill Rd. to Tunnel Rd. westbound on Foothill
to Ontare Rd., Ontare Rd. north of Foothill Rd.
Boardered on the north by Alameda Padre Sierra, on the east by Montecito
St. to Milpas, Milpas to Anapamu, Anapamu to Laguna, and Laguna to Los Olivos, and Los Olivos to Alameda Padre Sierra

UPDATE (12:03AM): The following areas have been added to the mandatory evacuation areas: all residents above Alameda Padre Serra (APS) from Eucalyptus Hill Road to Salinas/5 points area to Tunnel Road and above Hwy 192 between Hot Springs Road and Mission Canyon Rd/Tunnel Road.

UPDATE (10:08PM): Via The Independent: the county is still reporting the following areas as being under mandatory evacuation: Sycamore Canyon and Coyote have been evacuated, Hot Springs Road to Mission Canyon Rad north of 192, Alameda Padre Serra (APS) between Sycamore Canyon and Mission Canyon Road.

The evacuees should go to San Marcos High School at 4750 Hollister Avenue in Goleta.

UPDATE (8:17PM): Mandatory Evacuation Area: Area North of the 192 from Gilbralter Road East to Hot Springs Road

A Red Cross Shelter has been set up at San Marcos High School.

Regarding Animal Evacuations: Call 681-4332 Large Animals can be taken to Gate C at Earl Warren. Small animals 5399 Over Pass Road (off of Patterson) in Goleta.

UPDATE (7:50PM): The fire is on Cold Springs Road. Chris Meagher of The Independent has reported on KCSB-FM that structures in the area have burned, and that parts of Westmont College are on fire. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department is requesting that people DO NOT venture into the area, as traffic leaving Montecito and Alameda Padre Serra is very heavy.

KCSB has received unconfirmed reports that the fire in Sycamore Canyon is 3 to 5 acres and is very close to Westmont College. The Independent is reporting that people living north of Mountain Road or Cold Spring should evacuate now.

KCSB will broadcast additional information as soon as we have it.

KCSB Community News Nov. 10

News Director — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:27:19 +0000

Global Headlines Jackie Sheely
Interview with Lane Anderson about overpass protester and Iraq war veteran Kyle Van Tassel Cathy Murillo
Announcer: Meredith Taylor
Engineer: Jordan Katz

KCSB Community News Nov 7

News Director — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:20:55 +0000

Students Resisting Tax on Programs to Fix UCSB’s Budget Crisis Stephen Desrochers
Legal Challenges to Anti-Gay Proposition 8 Grace Garner
New Name: Feminist Studies Department at UCSB Robyn Pennington
Mega-evictions at Modoc Road Apartment Complex Cathy Murillo
Announcer: Angie Fotiades
Engineer: Brady Goldman

Student Financial Crisis Forum

News Director — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:54:44 +0000

UCSB students are organizing to fight university officials who want to levy a tax on student-financed programs to make up for a budget deficit. ** Organized by leaders in the Associated Students organization, this Oct. 30th forum was moderated by A.S. Internal V.P. Kevin Higuchi and included the following speakers: A.S. President John Paul “JP” Primeau, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Michael Young, A.S. Student Government Advisor Aaron Jones, Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas, Finance Board Vice Chair Dan Plotkin, and External V.P. of Statewide Affairs Corey Huber. Also questions and comments from speakers in the audience. ** More information about the campaign can be found at facebook.com, search groups: Student Financial Crisis. Or call (805) 893-2566; email internalvp@as.ucsb.edu.

KCSB Community News Nov. 4

News Director — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:43:25 +0000

Clean Air Express Anna Burke
Commuter service enjoys high ridership
UCSB Budget Shortfall Stephen Desroshers
University officials want to “tax” student-supported programs
Announcer/Engineer: Cathy Murillo

KCSB Community News Nov. 3

News Director — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:16:43 +0000

State Senator Sheila Kuehl at UCSB
Health Care Reform Expert Talks About Obama’s and McCain’s Plans
La Cumbre Overpass Suspect Arrested
KCSB Brought Live Coverage of Police Standoff that Shut Down 101
AFSCME Wins, Sort Of Raquel Granados
Labor Union Gets UC Contract for Only One Employee Unit
Isla Vista Tenants Abused Again Meredith Taylor
Tahitian Apartment Complex Under Watch by IV Tenants Union
Announcer: Matt Fottrell
Engineer: Jordan Katz

News Story: Yes on Measure D

News Director — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:05:32 +0000

Isla Vista residents are voting on Nov. 4, deciding whether or not the IVRPD should swap land with the county of Santa Barbara; Measure D aims to build underground parking structures as well as a new IV Community Center (which would house the IV Teen Center). It would also allow mixed-use development of Pardall Gardens park. Opponents of Measure D don’t like the commercialization of the village center and radical changes to existing parks.
Reporter: Casey Capachi

Democracy Now! Delayed October 29, 2008

Associate News — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:37:43 +0000

Today, KCSB will air Democracy Now! after KCSB’s coverage of Gaucho Soccer beginning around 4:30pm. You can listen to the full length of Democracy Now! at www.democracynow.org.

KCSB Community News Oct 21

News Director — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:10:31 +0000

Proposition 1A, League of Women Voters Educational Forum Matt Fottrell, Stephen Desrochers
Shattering the Glass Ceiling Cathy Murillo
Talk by Aqeela Sherrills, community organizer and negotiator of Crips and Bloods truce Phil LeVasseur
Announcer Cristella Marrufo
Additional Reporting/Editing Jordan Katz, Robyn Pennington