The Thomas Fire is looming hot and large right above the exclusive San Ysidro Ranch Resort in Montecito.
Flames worked their way into the canyon after traveling from Carpinteria through Toro Canyon and then into nearby Romero Canyon.
Crews have pre-cut fire lines and have hoses in place to take on the flames with a direct firefighting tactic if necessary, though they would prefer for the fire to come to them.
Then the firefighters could use the support of water-dropping helicopters and phos-check fire retardant deployed from trucks right along the roadside.
The operations for helicopters has been moved, and one spot is right above Highway 154 above Cathedral Oaks, where a special set of tanks has been set up to help the helicopters with a quick turnaround.