Summer 2011 Jesusita Horror Story by Laurie Guitteau directions—directions that changed con- bled to their engine for shelter, barely mak- stantly—smoke from the burning homes and ing it. They radioed for help, and, miracu- re you a fan of horror stories, the scari- vegetation obliterating visibility on the few, lously, their strike team leader arrived in time A er, the better? Well, we have some sum- narrow escape routes and making it difficult, to save their lives. Later, all three men were mer reading for you. Don’t be misled by the if not impossible, to breathe, embers blowing flown from Cottage Hospital to Grossman title, Jesusita Fire Burnover. This is a report and igniting structures way ahead of the fire, Burn Center with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree that details six harrowing incidents that oc- a hydrant with no water. These are the condi- burns. Two of the other crew were treated for curred during the 20-minute holocaust that tions the firefighters endured. As you read, smoke inhalation. consumed a large swath of Mission Canyon we are sure you’ll agree that it is a miracle Winds gusted between 40–60 miles per on May 6, 2009. You can read the entire re- no one died. hour at the top of Holly Road when an LA port at wildfirelessons.net/documents/Jesu- County crew, unfamiliar with the terrain, sita_Entrapment_Report.pdf. and assigned to structure protection, re- This document not only details what Fire Fights quested more engines because of the large happened, it offers recommendations that After spending the day performing structure number of unprotected structures and the could have an impact on how similar fires protection at 1495 Tunnel (the report errone- increasing wind. Suddenly, extreme fire be- are fought in the future, an impact that has ously states the address as Spyglass), four havior resulted in multiple fronts, and they strong implications for homeowners like us firefighters were seriously injured when the discovered that the hydrant system had lost who live in the wildland-urban interface. crews of two engines were trapped as the fire water. Civilians who had refused to evacu- Anyone who criticized the firefighters for suddenly made extreme advances toward the ate added to their worries. Overrun by fire, not saving more homes needs to read this Spyglass Ridge Road area about 4 p.m. Two five firefighters and five civilians took refuge report. Throughout the day on May 6, nu- firefighters took refuge in the house, which at 2910 Holly Road. Two firefighters, forced merous strike teams were assigned to struc- began to burn. At the same time, the other from another home that could not withstand ture protection and spent the day preparing crew members tried to escape, but their en- the flames, took refuge at 2921 for about 20 the structures, removing combustible items gine was blocked by a wall of fire. Fortunate- minutes, finally making their way to 2910 to away from structures, cleaning out gutters, ly they finally made it out through a break in join the others when 2921 began to burn. An- putting foil on vent openings. With no warn- the flames, but the two trapped firemen were other was forced from 2850 as the glass gave ing, all hell broke loose, and it was a liv- forced from the house when the glass door of way. These eight firefighters and five civil- ing hell. One hundred foot flames, downed the room they were sheltering in shattered. power lines, winds whipping the fire in all Surrounded by flames and smoke, they stum- Jesusita Horror (cont. p.2)

This home offered the Jesusita Fire considerable fuel in its wooden deck, nearby trees, The property this home sits on got so hot that the propane tank and its safety valve parted and unfortunate location at the juncture of a couple of ridgelines. It was destroyed in company, but enclosed eaves, good defensible space, and a fire-resistant roof helped the the fire, and almost took the lives of two firefighters. house survive Jesusita, not to mention the work of firefighters on-site. PHOTO: Santa Barbara County Fire Department PHOTO: Santa Barbara County Fire Department 1 n n n n 2 Mission Canyon Association n n Jesusita Horror (cont. from p.1) The Real Story tance of mobility in fighting structure fires is stressed. Structure engines are larger and less The Burnover Report only concerns in- ians took refuge for an additional 20 minutes mobile than wildland engines. “Consider ac- cidents where firefighters were injured or at 2910, bringing in breathing gear as a pre- tions in the deployment of firefighting equip- fire-fighting equipment was damaged or -de caution when the windows cracked from the ment that will allow for rapid response to the stroyed. If we interviewed each of the fire- firestorm outside. Three others took refuge in changing fire environment, as well as main- fighters who fought this blaze, we could fill a 2911 as their escape route was blocked. Any- taining the ability to escape to a safety zone.” book with terrifying tales. one who visited the upper reaches of Holly If this advice had been followed during the The folks who did not evacuate early con- Road after the fire marveled that any homes Jesusita Fire, few engines would have been firm the horror. On my road, we have three survived. Few did. The wonder is that only up our narrow roads. neighbors who barely made it out. One older one firefighter was hurt and all firefighters When flames reach the height of 100 man, who had lived here for over 50 years and civilians survived. There were moments feet as they did during the Jesusita wildfire, and survived the Coyote Fire, almost went when none of them thought they would. a safety zone with a distance separation of over the edge of the road at a curve near a Two other harrowing incidents occurred 400 feet from firefighters to flame is recom- 100-foot drop. The thick smoke had ob- at 1165 E and G Tunnel Road. This is a mended in official fire-fighting handbooks. long, narrow, bumpy road where many of scured all his familiar landmarks. If he had missed that curve, he would have surely died How many places in Mission Canyon would the homes had failed past defensible space provide that degree of safety for firefighters? inspections. Ventura and Santa Paula fire- from fire and smoke. His wife drove out with This report recommends, “Safety zones must fighters were near the top prepping structures her windshield burning because the leaves be large enough for the fire to pass without when the firestorm hit. One crew applied caught in her windshield wipers were on fire. the need for additional protection and be foam to their engine to protect it as the fire One evacuee described it as driving into jet able to accommodate all firefighters and -ap threatened, and then took refuge briefly at engine exhaust. Another man on Holly who paratus. Structures should not be considered 1165 E, using their breathing apparatus. The had his scuba gear ready in his pool because safety zones. They are survival zones to only firefighters at 1165 G took refuge in their -ve he had planned to stay and fight, changed his be used as a last resort.” hicle and used their breathing apparatus and mind when he saw those 100-foot flames and Would you willingly go up many of our fire shelters until they could move to a safer the dense, black smoke. He barely made it roads knowing a holocaust was coming? If location. Both homes closest to this house, through that smoke to safety. Another could these recommendations do influence fire- 1165 A and 1255 Tunnel, were destroyed. not leave because fire equipment blocked his fighting techniques, doesn’t it seem logical Los Angeles County Fire personnel were driveway. that more thought will be given in the future assigned structure protection on Palomino If this report says nothing more to us, it to protect the lives of firefighters by being Road and prepared the structures and their explains why it is important to leave early. more careful where they are deployed during hoses at 1121 and 1125. Two additional Intense heat, 100-foot flames, total lack of a wildfire? It is important to recognize that engines arrived with their crews just as the visibility, reduced levels of oxygen, emer- the vast majority of firefighters in a wildfire firestorm arrived. One of these engines was gency equipment blocking egress, hydrants are not local. They are from all over the state able to turn around, but the other could not, running dry. Add these factors to a single with no knowledge of the neighborhood and, and the engine stalled. Trapped, the crew narrow, winding road out of the canyon and in many cases, without accurate maps. If was trying to protect its engine while the no escape options, and you have a recipe for you live on one of the many narrow, wind- other firefighters attempted to assist with disaster. If you are skeptical, read any report ing roads in Mission Canyon, is the width of their hoses. Overcome by the fire, everyone of the 1991 Oakland Fire in which 26 people the road reduced even more by ornamental took refuge at 1125 until the storm passed, died. vegetation? Are there turnouts and places for then continued fighting the fire and finally No need to worry because we’ve had a large fire truck to turn around? were able to restart the engine. The engine our fire? Talk with the folks who were Do you have a large, cleared space where had stalled because a burning ember went spared from the Tea Fire in November 2008 firefighters would be 400 feet from flames? into the front air intake, burning the air filter, and then lost their homes in the Jesusita in Could engines move quickly from house to which caused the motor to stall. Need anoth- May 2009. house in your neighborhood? Can your road er reason to evacuate early? Despite the ef- and your driveway accommodate a large forts of the firefighters, 1125 was destroyed. Firefighting in the Future structure fire engine? The answer to these Fortunately, the firefighters suffered only one Besides reminding us of the importance of questions for the vast majority of Mission injury among them. timely evacuation, this report raises many Canyon residents is “no.” Does that mean the Another L.A. County Strike Team was questions for Mission Canyon residents. firefighters won’t be here the next time? No, assigned to protect upper Mission Canyon The recommendations after each incident but it does mean that as residents of a wild- Road, with one engine was assigned to 1433, are based on interviews with the personnel land-urban interface, we need to be realistic. just above the Botanic Garden. The house involved, as well as other sources. “Lessons We must accept that we live with the threat was deemed defensible even though the es- Learned” on page 66 is meant for fire per- of fire, and that we must accept responsibili- cape route was a narrow, private road. By sonnel, but it certainly relates to us as resi- ty for doing all that we can to make our home 3:40 p.m., the conditions had deteriorated dents. They note that wildland fires generally more fire resistant and our property safer for much faster and more seriously than antici- occur under high wind conditions, creating any firefighter who may try to defend it. pated, and the firefighters were forced to take rapidly moving fire and extreme fire - be refuge in the house twice to escape the in- havior, behavior that can quickly surround tense heat and smoke, which reduced visibil- firefighters with flames and dense smoke. Protect Your Home ity. One firefighter had to be treated for heat Escape routes and safety zones are easily This admonishment is on the Wild- exhaustion and smoke inhalation. The house compromised when firefighters remain too land Fire Lessons Learned website was saved. long trying to defend a structure. The impor- (http://wildfirelessons.net), “If fire condi- n n Summer 2011 3 n n tions render firefighting strategy and tactics ability during a wildfire.” If you doubt that, mation about fire-resistant construction, untenable, get out of the way. Firefighters look at the homes along Spyglass Ridge. You tools, and vegetation. must have the ability to recognize when ‘all would expect them to burn, being on a ridge We plan to explore specific options in the water in the world’ will not stop a fire. and directly in the line of fire when flames more detail in future newsletters, and we Accountability for the defensibility of homes exploded, yet none did. Some damage yes, invite any of you who have found ways to must lie with the homeowner. Firefighters but none were lost. The homeowners on increase the fire resistance of your home to need to know and believe that their personal Spyglass work as a community to keep their contact me ([email protected]) so we can safety is the number one priority.” ridge defensible, and it paid huge dividends share the information. It is disconcerting to read how many in this horrific fire. Look up there to see what The reality is that firefighters can only do of the homes burned during Jesusita were serious defensible space looks like. so much in a wind-whipped, out-of-control homes that had burned in the Coyote Fire, For specific suggestions for your home, fire. They are men and women with families, the last big Mission Canyon fire. Captain call Station 15 (681-5515) and ask them for too, and no one’s home is worth a life. The David Sadecki of Santa Barbara County their friendly advice on how you can make same is true of residents. Think twice before Fire emphasizes, “defensible space is the your home and property safer. County Fire’s you ignore an evacuation warning. Our re- single biggest thing that a homeowner can online website, sbcfire.com, links to many cent horror story had a happy ending. We accomplish to improve their home’s surviv- publications and websites with more infor- need to keep it that way.

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Walking Sans Sidewalks patrol the canyon also cover the 101 from the Ventura County line to Las Positas, and will People of all ages are out walking in the respond, barring emergencies elsewhere. Canyon, and that’s a good thing. To their credit, there are some folks walking to and from work every day. The vegetation in some Meadow Terrace Removed places causes them to go way out into the Spring and summer activities at the Botanic road and stop traffic (if they are lucky). If Garden have included the restoration of the your home is along the road, please cut back Meadow area, including the removal of the enough vegetation so that people can fit into terrace. The Cultural Landscape Master Plan the right of way. project kicked off August 3 with a presenta- If it is a maintenance problem—just re- tion by Charles Birnbaum, president of the move the stuff! Cultural Landscape Foundation, and Susan It would be great if we had pedestrian and The MCA Gardeners doing their part for Brush Day. Van Atta, a S.B. landscape architect. The pe- bike paths on our public roads, but since we PHOTo: Cass Ensberg riod of significance has been determined to don’t, we should be making them as safe as year, and Fire Station 15 eliminates all traces we can. The folks who walk are keeping ve- be from 1936 to 1950, and the plan should be of our activity at the end of the day. Brush hicles off the road, which benefits all of us as completed by the end of the year. Day is truly a community working together. well as promoting a healthy lifestyle. MCA Officers & Directors Our Brush Day Heroes Hotshots Gone Ray Smith: President; Fire; 682-5583, [email protected] The loss of the County’s Hotshot team based Laurie Guitteau: co-Vice President; Membership*, Newslet- Kudos to David and Mario Borgatello, own- ter; 682-4474, [email protected] at Lake Cachuma was felt most keenly by Alastair Winn: co-Vice President; Museum*; 687-5682, ers of MarBorg Industries, for all they do for the Tepusquet community, which relied on us. Once again, they donated roll-offs, driv- [email protected] the young and energetic crew for vegeta- Jean Yamamura: Treasurer; Fire, Newsletter*, Ordinance; ers, and a porta-potty to make Brush Day tion management services, but county-wide, 845-3051, [email protected] on June 11 a huge success. Dan Upton of parks, roadsides, and other areas will also Georganne Alex: Secretary; GV, Mediation; 682-5064, [email protected] Upton Construction and his front loader al- soon feel their loss to the Fire Department’s lowed volunteers to enjoy the day more as Richard Axilrod: Museum, Traffic & Parking*; 687-5296, budget cuts this year. The group’s captains [email protected] a social outing than the usual brutal work- moved into the regular Fire Department, but Ralph Daniel: Fire, Mediation*, Ordinance, T&P; 682-2889, day. What a difference machines make! The the safety standards coordinator—a retired [email protected] Botanic Garden supplied Jason, one of their forest service battalion chief—was laid off. Kellam de Forest: History, Museum; [email protected] gardeners, and a truck to help folks get brush County Fire’s air program continues, how- Cass Ensberg: Garden Volunteers*, Trails; 898-8004, to the dumpsters, and Cesar Trujillo, owner [email protected] ever, and the department recently annexed Alex Feldwinn: Webmaster*; [email protected] of Encino Landscapes, donated his time, parcels in Los Padres to add some revenue to Darby Feldwinn: 845-6522, [email protected] his energy, and his truck as well. The MCA its depleted balance sheet. Tom Jacobs: ADRC*, Museum; 898-8004, [email protected] Gardeners cut back overgrown vegetation to Regarding parking enforcement in the Susan Davidson: 770-2713, [email protected] widen the walkway, and to expose the beau- canyon, we’ve learned that Officer Rob Stu- Milt Roselinsky: Fire*; 563-9212, [email protected] tiful stone wall at the corner of Mission Can- va is off community relations and now train- Kevin Snow: 448-6653, [email protected] yon and Foothill roads. In total, 27.93 tons ing new officers, but remains the primary *Chair of committee of brush were taken to the dump, where our contact for parking issues (M-F, 8am-5pm, The MCA Newsletter was prepared with the help of Lee Anne fees were waived, thanks to Supervisor Salud 967-1234). For best response, call CHP from Dollison, graphics, production and photography. Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 Carbajal. Santa Barbara Woman’s Club do- your landline telephone; outside business p.m. at the Natural History Museum’s MacVeagh House. All nates the use of its parking lot for us each hours, call 477-4174. The two officers who are welcome to attend. Mission Canyon Association Prst Std P.O. Box 401 U.S. Postage Santa Barbara, CA 93102 PAID Santa Barbara, CA Permit #139 Your MCA Newsletter Summer 2011 Jesusita Lessons Learned Can Narrow Escapes Teach Us Safety Lessons?

The Consequences of Using Rat Poison by Susan Davidson peanut butter, can be placed under milk crates with a heavy brick on top. This al- oyotes hunt and eat rodents, as lows rats to go in for the bait, but prevents C do hawks, foxes, bobcats, snakes, other animals from getting hurt. Battery- skunks, owls, and domestic dogs and cats. operated “Rat Zappers” are also popular, These predators keep rodent populations less messy, and effective. under control, but they often die after they To decrease rat traffic, it helps to elimi- eat poisoned rats or gophers. The rodent nate their food. At night, take in your bird population increases. People use even more feeder, and poultry and pet foods. Wrap the poison. This is not a wise solution. base of fruit trees with aluminum sheet- National Park Service researcher and ing and keep fruit off the ground. Remove UCLA ecologist Seth Riley concluded in vinca and ivy from your property because 2005 that poisoned rodents were affecting, This baby coyote ate a poisoned rodent and would rats hide in these places. Cut back veg- in turn, bobcats, coyotes, and mountain li- have died a slow agonizing death without the help of S.B. Animal Control, as reported in EdHat.com. etation that can be a ladder to the roof. ons in the Santa Monica Mountains area. PHOTO: Santa Barbara County Anim al Control Keep lids on trash containers and make Coyotes had been observed ingesting nine sure they’re tight. A good website to learn to ten rodents a day, and were themselves poisoning of hawks, kit foxes, weasels, and prey for mountain lions. A long-term study owls with anticoagulants, which are found about rats, their habits, and how to safe- of bobcats observed a strange die-off that in products like d-Con and Tomcat. ly and professionally control them is at started in 2002. Mange was the unlikely Trapping is the alternative to poison unitedwildlife.com/animalsrat.html. culprit, and when biologists found concen- if care is taken to protect pets and other trations of anticoagulants in the cats’ liv- wildlife. (Poisoning symptoms in dogs and A more detailed article on this subject can be ers, they began to suspect the poison com- cats are quite different. Descriptions can found at MissionCanyon.org. We invite readers promised the animals’ immune systems be found at petmd.com/dog/conditions or to write [email protected] with and their ability to fight the mange. Other petmd.com/cat/conditions. Scroll to “R” tips on how to safely get rid of rodents, and studies worldwide have documented the for rat poison.) Large rat traps, baited with we’ll post them below the article.