The Uribe blog: Fire Recovery Resources

These pages contain useful information to assist property owners and renters in the Jesusita Fire and Tea Fire Burn Areas.

As of 5/15/09

• 8,733 acres burned
• 95% contained
• All evacuation orders and warnings lifted as of May 13, 2009
• Residences threatened – 500; commercial properties threatened – 0
• 80 homes destroyed; 15 homes damaged
• 1 commercial property destroyed
• 2 outbuildings damaged, 79 outbuildings destroyed
• 1,857 personnel on scene: 111 engines, 57 crews
• 1 air attack tanker and 4 helicopters
• 30 firefighter injuries to date
• Cause under investigation: Tip line: (805) 686-5074
• Air quality warning remains in effect
• Estimated costs to date $17 million
• Expected containment 5/20/09

Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara in Effect Through Weekend

Please note that the Jesusita Fire Call Center is now closed.

County Supervisors Salud Carbajal, First District, and Janet Wolf, Second District, will be hosting a Jesusita Fire Recovery Meeting at 6:30 PM, Monday, May 18, 2009 at the County Administration Building, Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, 93101.

Jesusita Fire

Michael Harris, Emergency Operations Chief, heads up the County’s recovery team to help residents in the recovery and rebuilding process. The County’s plans include assigning project case managers for area residents whose homes were lost or damaged in the Jesusita Fire. The County is also working to establish and open a recovery center similar to the one operated after the Tea Fire to provide information and assistance related to the rebuilding and recovery process.

County To Open Local Assistance Center (LAC)

The County of Santa Barbara will be establishing a Local Assistance Center (LAC) beginning 9:00 AM, Monday, May 18, 2009. The LAC is being established by the County and City of Santa Barbara to provide assistance and recovery services for residents who have lost homes or otherwise impacted by the Jesusita Fire. Federal, State and local agencies will be providing assistance.

Jesusita Burn Area Rebuild Information:

Property Tags
County Building and Safety officials have inspected properties that sustained fire damage and tagged them with one of three tags which indicate structural safety: a red tag indicates a structure is unsafe to occupy; a yellow tag indicates that limited entry is possible and residents should enter at their own risk; a green tag indicates that the property was inspected and deemed safe to occupy. Areas unaffected by the fire will not be tagged. If your property has a red tag, the structure is unsafe to occupy.

Contact the County Planning and Development Department:

123 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara 93101-2058
805-568-2090 or 805-568-3030
www.sbcountyplanning.org

Hours: 8:30a.m.-12:00p.m and 1:00p.m.-4:30p.m. M, Tues, W, F
10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. and 1:00p.m.-4:30p.m. Thursday

Case managers have been assigned to properties damaged and/or destroyed. Residents may contact the Planning Supervisor, Petra Leyva, at 805-568-2071 to determine their case manager. Residents should be prepared to provide property address, description of damage, and any other information the property owner may have. If the property is serviced by a septic tank, the case manager will need to know where the septic tank is located. Please also include any past service records of septic tank service. The property owner will then apply for a demolition permit. All fees will be deferred until a building permit is ready to be picked up. All permits will be a priority of the Planning and Development Department.

Tea Fire Burn Area Rebuild Information: Property owners with damage from the Tea Fire should see the Planning & Development Tea Fire Resources web page.

Assistance Information

Assistance is available from the organizations listed here

Assistance and Services For Disaster Recovery - Cal EMA Flyer

Damage Reports and Maps

Jesusita Fire - Preliminary listing of damaged or destroyed properties as of May 12, 2009. This list will continue to be updated as further property assessments in outlying areas occur.

Jesusita Fire May 13, 2009 10:00 A.M. Evacuation Areas

Planning & Development: Tea Fire Maps and Imagery