The following is from the Santa Maria Times, the Home News Paper of Joe Myers.

Hundreds of people in communities above Goleta were ordered to evacuate Thursday night as the Gap Fire intensified and continued to race through the mountains, again taking out power and charring some 3,000 acres so far.

The newest areas where residents were ordered to leave their homes included Painted Cave, Hidden Valley and the Trout Club.

“The fire has been moving along a wide front,” Wiliam Boyer, a county spokesman, said.

Not knowing exactly where Joe lives in relation to the above, I would assume it's the out laying subrubs of Santa Maria, but none the less, we all need to show concern...

Joe: Other than the heavey smell of smoke, I hope all is well in your area and wish a safe time ahead. On the lighter side, (:)) if you have to evacutate, don't forget your TOY CARS!!! (or insure them and let 'em burn!!):woohoo:

JB,

This fire is about 30-35 miles South of me

Add to that the fires in Norther Cal - about 150-175 miles NORTH we've been living with heavy Smoke and Ash for a few weeks.

CALIFORNIA is Burning at an alarming rate for the 2nd or 3rd year in a row.

Last year I had a fire in a field that backs up our property - it came about 6 inches into our back yard. Had it happened ONE DAY earlier, I was away racing and my HOUSE would have burnt to the ground.

We don't know which way the fire are headed, but that GAP fire is really close to Santa Barbara and 1000's of houses...and although it isn't the biggest or longest fire - it has been moved to the #1 Priority Fire in the State.

...thankfully, so far not too many houses or residential structures have been damaged in this years fires (unlike last year)

The FLOOD devastation in the Mid-West is much, much more severe for public damage and destroyed lives...

...The CDF Air Tankers are based out of the Santa Maria Airport - so they have that resource close to this fire. It's about a 15 minute turn around per drop, and there are about 4 planes being used...so every few minutes one of these big old bombers flys over my house (I'm in the airport approach) and they come in LOW...

JB,

This fire is about 30-35 miles South of me

Add to that the fires in Norther Cal - about 150-175 miles NORTH we've been living with heavy Smoke and Ash for a few weeks.

CALIFORNIA is Burning at an alarming rate for the 2nd or 3rd year in a row.

Last year I had a fire in a field that backs up our property - it came about 6 inches into our back yard. Had it happened ONE DAY earlier, I was away racing and my HOUSE would have burnt to the ground.

We don't know which way the fire are headed, but that GAP fire is really close to Santa Barbara and 1000's of houses...and although it isn't the biggest or longest fire - it has been moved to the #1 Priority Fire in the State.

...thankfully, so far not too many houses or residential structures have been damaged in this years fires (unlike last year)

The FLOOD devastation in the Mid-West is much, much more severe for public damage and destroyed lives...

...The CDF Air Tankers are based out of the Santa Maria Airport - so they have that resource close to this fire. It's about a 15 minute turn around per drop, and there are about 4 planes being used...so every few minutes one of these big old bombers flys over my house (I'm in the airport approach) and they come in LOW...
Joe... glad to see everthing seems ok for now!! hope the fire does not get to close you guy's. got to keep that velo racing alive!!! hopfully the fires will be contain more soon.. I live about 50 miles south west of Indianapolis, and was some what affected by the floods, but many of my friends lost everthing..

JP

Thanks guys...

There are a whole lot of people, a whole lot closer to danger than I am...

Last years fire behind Santa Barbara was recorded as the 2nd largest in recorded history, but it wasn't near so many houses. This area also had a huge fire back in the early 90's that destroyed a whole lot of houses.

We're SO dry this year - fire season started earlier than normal...and it's going to be a LONG summer.

i blame lipos! AHHAHAHAHAH just kidding joe...we had our share of fire bugs in fl ...

I saw where Florida was burning pretty good a while back - this was your 2nd or 3rd straight year too wasn't it?

FIRES - FLOODS - HURRICANES - TORNADOS - NIMH's I just can't believe all the devastation....

i blame lipos! AHHAHAHAHAH just kidding joe...we had our share of fire bugs in fl ...

swtourI saw where Florida was burning pretty good a while back - this was your 2nd or 3rd straight year too wasn't it?

FIRES - FLOODS - HURRICANES - TORNADOS - NIMH's I just can't believe all the devastation....


Ahahahaaaa!