News

We’re in the lull between wind events, but high brush fire potential and the possibility of some public safety power shutoffs are in the forecast for parts of the Central and South Coasts.

We’re getting a break Tuesday night and Wednesday, but Thursday and Friday have the potential for wind related brush fire problems.

A Santa Barbara congressman has authored legislation intended to make it easier for cities and counties to get work started on critical infrastructure projects.

The bill would set up a national infrastructure bank.

The House of Representatives has passed a bill by a Ventura County congresswoman intended to help homeless veterans with families find a safe place to live. The legislation would provide additional funding to community housing agencies which help homeless veterans with kids. The VA isn’t currently authorized to reimburse local agencies for the extra cost of helping the children of homeless veterans.

Some potentially dangerous brush fire conditions could hit the Central and South Coasts this week. The biggest concern is for Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. The forecast is for a mild Santa Ana wind event through Tuesday.  Then, on Thursday and Friday, there could be much stronger wind, possibly reaching Red Flag Warning levels.

Southern Santa Barbara County made it through a weekend long Red Flag Warning without brush fire issues, but now there are concerns about gusty winds in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.

The strong sundowner winds predicted didn't materialize, and the Red Flag Warning expired at 10 p.m. Sunday.

The South Coast made it through most of the weekend without predicted high winds materializing, but a Red Flag Warning for potential problems remains in effect for much of the region until 10 p.m. Sunday.  The possibility of Public Safety Power Shutoffs also remains for thousands of Southern California Edison customers in the region.

Gusty wind creating a high brush fire potential remains a big concern for the South Coast, with planned power outages still a possibility.  

Southern Santa Barbara County could potentially face wind in the 50 mile an hour range, with stronger gusts in the foothills.  The peak wind is expected between now and midday Sunday.

There’s a Red Flag Warning in place for southern Santa Barbara County, with potentially dangerous wind between now and Sunday. Some of the strongest wind is expected Saturday night into Sunday, with gusts from 50 to 70 miles an hour possible in the Santa Ynez Mountain range.

Firefighters now have 50% containment of a brush fire in Santa Barbara County that temporarily shut down Highway 101, and forced the evacuation of some campgrounds. The 420 acre Real Fire started at around 4:30 Thursday afternoon in the hills near El Capitan State Beach.

There’s good news about the economy for the Central and South Coast. Just released numbers show major drops in unemployment throughout the region.