Thanks to Firefighters & Community Volunteers

     Our thanks to the thousands of brave firefighters who are working so hard on the Thomas Fire. Our thoughts are with all our friends and neighbors who are affected by the wildfires here in SB & Ventura Counties, and throughout Southern California.

     More than 8,000 crews from multiple counties and states have come to the area to help battle the flames. Crews as far as Montana, Arizona and Oregon could be seen pulling into Lake Cachuma on Tuesday as the staging camp opened.

     Firefighters have been busy today setting up containment lines along Gibraltar Road and are looking at the possibilities of back firing, said Mark Brown of Cal Fire.

   The current plan is a proactive approach and very important to understand that it will help with controlling where they want the fire to go and they hope to gain more control rather than waiting for the wind event on Friday to make it even more uncontrolled.

     “We have brought the best experts in the state to study this plan and have approved of the operation,” said Mark Brown of Cal-Fire.

     As there were multiple delays due to fire personnel traffic on Highway 154, the California Highway Patrol announced Highway 154 will be fully closed from Cathedral Oaks Road/State Route 192 in Santa Barbara to Highway 246 from 5 a.m. until 9 a.m to transport fire and support personnel.

     To get involved or offer support: Unity, Direct Relief, Foodbank, American Red Cross, or visit http://abc7.com/how-to-support-local-fire-relief-efforts/2743551/

     For updates on the fire and resources:  http://countyofsb.org/thomasfire.sbc#update