Day Fire Info and Links

Many thanks to one of our loyal readers who passed this info along for the rest of us -- I appreciate it as we need this news today rather than tomorrow. This was an email sent out by the Montecito Fire District.

======================

FROM THE MONTECITO FIRE DISTRICT AND MERRAG: Sept. 17, 2006--9:20 AM

Many of you woke up to a what looks like a snowstorm of ash. This is due to the fire activity at the Day Fire. Our dispatcher was overwhelmed from people calling for information all night long.

In an effort to help eliviate some of your questions, I am including a link to a fire information website for you to find the latest updated information if you are curious about what is happening. There is no threat to our community at this time. It is currently burning toward the city of Fillmore.

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/475/

I am also including a link to a website that will let you view satallite imagery of fires. You must select the fire you want to view from the pull down menu. (Day Fire). As you click on the triangle indicating where the fire is, it will zoom in.

Once you get it to the way you'd like to see it, you can select the layers you want to include (i.e. cities, towns, roads, bodies of water etc.).

http://geomac.usgs.gov/viewer/viewer.htm

We will probably continue to experience this ash flow for some time, so keep your doors, windows and dampers closed. Stay indoors to minimize exposure -- especially if you have respiratory ailments. Here are some other things to consider when dealing with large amounts of ash fall:

• Wash ash off children’s toys before children play with them.

• Clean ash off house pets.

• Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, and long pants and avoid skin contact.

• If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.

• If you have a vegetable garden or fruit trees, wash the fruit or vegetables thoroughly before eating them.

• Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air.

• Shop vacuums and other common vacuum cleaners do not filter out small particles, but rather blow such particles out the exhaust into the air where they can be breathed. The use of shop vacuums and other non-HEPA filter vacuums is not recommended. HEPA filter vacuums could be used, if available.

• Well fitting dust masks may provide some protection during cleanup. A mask rated N-95 or P-100 will be more effective than simpler dust or surgical masks in blocking particles from ash. In general, many ash particles are larger than those found in smoke; thus, wearing a dust mask can significantly reduce (but not completely eliminate) the amount of particles inhaled.

• Persons with heart or lung disease should consult their physician during ash fall.

• Gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wet mopping is the best procedure in most cases. A damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed on lightly dusted areas.

• Avoid washing ash into storm drains whenever possible.

• If ash is wet down, use as little water as possible.

• Collected ash may be disposed of in the regular trash. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed.

The community of Fillmore and residents along the 150 corridorbetween Santa Paula and Ojai, as well as Wheeler Gorge and Matilija have been asked to evacuate.

Take this opportunity to check YOUR evacuation/disaster kits. If you are unsure what you should have, check out the MERRAG website for more information.