As tragic as the recent Jesusita Fire was here in Santa Barbara, the public has come out more than ever, thanking firefighters and emergency responders for their efforts to save homes. Most of the firefighters involved with the firefighting efforts were not from Santa Barbara but instead, were mutual aid departments from all over California.
What was very apparent was the fire fights that occurred which is evident by burned vegetation right up to the property lines of the structures. Many homes were saved but only because of the aggressive stance firefighters made during the fire.
For those firefighters who responded mutual aid to Santa Barbara, you need to know how much the public appreciated what you did and have displayed signs all over the fire area.
This gives a pretty good idea on the size of the fire and the number of homes that were threatened.
High fuel loads, hurricane force down canyon winds, high temperatures and low humidity created the perfect storm, resulting in 77 homes being consumed by fire. Without the mutual aid strike teams of Type 1 and Type III engines, many more homes would have been lost. But they weren't and the public knows what was accomplished...