Fire Rips Through Tony Montecito, Home To Oprah, Rob Lowe And Others

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A fire official says 111 homes have been confirmed destroyed in a celebrity-studded enclave of Northern California, and the burned area has expanded to 1,800 acres.

Montecito fire spokeswoman Jackie Jenkins said Friday night another 1,500 homes in Montecitoare threatened, but wind conditions in the evening have been relatively mild.

Fierce winds were blamed for fanning the flames that quickly spread across Montecito on Thursday night and into Friday. Thirteen people have been injured in the blaze, which more than 1,000 firefighters are working to contain.

Comments

[Topgun2]

I agree with what G. Carlin said abt these CA. fires in 2007:

Offering his provocative opinion on “The View” Wednesday morning, George Carlin paraphrased an old comedy rant of his, and characterized the fires as cosmic payback from a planet stretched to its breaking point. “People are selfish,” he said. “These people with the fires and the floods and everything, they overbuild and they put nature to the test, and they get what’s coming to them, that’s what I say.”

[hopeandpromise]

I am sooo tired hearing that Oprah and Rob Lowe live in Montecito. As a person who lives in a suburb of Santa Barbara, our concern up here is for all of our SB residents, and Oprah and Rob Lowe aren't on our minds. They don't even live near the heart of the fire. I lived through the July Gap Fire in Goleta, and it came within 1/2 mile of our home. We were saved became the fire burned orchards which served as a fire barrier. It sure came close! Fortunately, the winds turned the other way and the fire didn't come any closer. Many homes were lost in this fire (100 structures - I think the last count was 80 homes) and our hearts go out to the victims and their animals. All of Santa Barbara is so grateful to the firefighters who came in July and for this fire. We had signs up in Goleta in July thanking them for saving our town. The firefighters are God's answer to angels on earth.

[kellygrrrl]

the most beautiful mission up there has burned down, and a wonderful small private liberal arts college. Very Sad!

[Gumby123]

Next time, don't build your multi-million dollar mansion on a tinderbox!

[MelDel7365]

Not all of the homes this fire destroyed were expensive, celebrity homes - my sister and her roomates' home was destroyed by this fire - they lost everything (and are definitely NOT millionaires - they were renting) ...

[DavidHealy]

Perhaps HuffPo writers need to edit their headines. "Tony Montecito" sounds like a lounge singer. Does Montecito really need an adjective? It's breathtakingly expensive.

[RadLeftVetPatriot]

Hah!
I used to date his sister Angela.

It's spelt 'toney'.

[harriettubman]

This happens every year in CA. There has to be more that can be done. There was an engineer who built a fire proof home; his was the sole standing home after a fire gutted his community. Celebs can afford to build a fire proof fence around their property and have sprinklers installed to come on for embers. Something has to be done. No wonder insurance companies don't want to pay. If its not mud slides or earthquakes, its fire in CA.

[LoRiseAntlers]

The word is "toney".Tony Montecito is a guido from Jersey City.

[NoSillyName]

I was just gonna ask "Who the heck is Tony Montecito?!"

Can't stand the use of "toney" anytime, anywhere. I live near Toney Santa Fe! Whoop-de-dam-do. Oh, maybe I'm jealous that I don't live IN Toney Santa Fe!!

[NoSillyName]

Hey, RL, you may not have to worry about gossipy employees anymore. Look at the bright side!