The Santa Barbara Jesusita Fire and other news

It's fire season again in Santa Barbara, and although we are now half the country away in Texas, our thoughts go back to our previous home and Rebecca and Hannah as we read about the Jesusita Fire occurring there now.

We spoke with both of them this morning. Local schools are closed due to poor air quality conditions so Hannah will spend the day indoors at home, or at least keep out of the smoke-filled areas of town. She said that the wind is blowing most of the smoke south and conditions are not as bad as yesterday. She was at a theater when the power went out and got a refund when power was not restored, so the side effects of the fire within the community are multiple and widespread.

Rebecca was headed off to work but said that yesterday was particularly bad for smoke. She keeps an inhaler with her and two at the office if needed for clearer breathing as she can suffer asthma conditions in the smoke. She said that the temperatures have been unusually hot there (possibly in the 90s) and that she had to take a cold shower and use a cold pack on her neck just to get to sleep last night (no air conditioner in her apartment).

Conditions are better this morning so perhaps the firefighters can make some progress at containing the fire. There has been a lot of unconfirmed rumors about what started the fire, everything from suspected arson to power transformer explosion to a rare over-land rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB (usually goes north over the ocean for a polar orbit).

The reports we have read and maps we have viewed of where the fire started, and where the homes are being evacuated (and some burned) shows very familiar territory that Dick used to hike once or twice a week when we lived there. The Jesusita Trail runs along a mountain ridge from which the entire Santa Barbara area can be viewed as it is hiked, with one prominent viewing spot called Inspiration Point. Much of this area has not burned in recent history so there is plenty of tinder and brush to provide fuel for the fire. Unfortunately, it is also a beautiful area for homes and we personally know a number of families who live in this area whos homes may be at risk.

On the very much more positive side, Tricia will be flying to Texas this Saturday to spend a week with us. She hopes to be here when Katie delivers her baby, and by Katie's latest reports this morning that seems quite possible. Katie says she is now experiencing some occasional progress pains, even to the point of having to stop walking if on foot, but they have not reached the point where they imply she is ready, although she is encouraged by the progress. Although her "expected" delivery date is May 12, she will see her doctor again next Wednesday for an update. Her doctor does not want Katie to go more than a week past her due date so has set May 19 as the latest date for delivery before inducing her if necessary. From Katie's reports all is well and the baby is in position for normal delivery.

On another very positive note, Susie's dad's home in Florida is supposed to go to closing today and she will be thrilled when this long-overdue sale is finally completed. In addition to the housing market going sour in Florida which reduced the value of the home by more that 50% since her father died there have been other family legal and financial complications to contend with through this whole ordeal. Through it all she has been the steady executor for her dad's estate and has done remarkably well under extremely adverse conditions, but it has been stressful. She has made Dick promise that they will go out and celebrate over a nice dinner when in fact everything is finally settled.

So we will keep you posted. Many good things are about to happen and you will get the latest news as soon as it becomes available.