VILLAGE BEAT (Continued from page 20) An informational kiosk in the upper village aims to give Montecito residents a place to get information and look at current maps where the Rey Fire is burning
Singh explained that the blaze, which as of press time had burned nearly 30,000 acres, is pushing north and northeast as expected, despite north winds that are pushing smoke toward Montecito. On Monday, crews reopened fire line breaks in the back country on East Camino Cielo, which
were used in 2007 during the Zaca Fire. This move was both used as a safety precaution as well as a way to bring bulldozers and other heavy equipment near the fire. “Even if the fire makes its way close to the fire lines, those lines are expected to hold, and we are confident about that,” Singh said.
To ease concerns and provide more public information, an information kiosk staffed with volunteers has been set up in Montecito, in the upper village. “We look forward to working together to get our residents the most recent information,” said Montecito Fire chief Chip Hickman. “If something changes and the fire turns, Montecito residents will have plenty of time to prepare,” Singh added. The fire, which is partially burning in an area that has not burned for more than 100 years, is 30 percent contained. The fire did reach the Zaca Fire scar in the northeast, which slowed its growth, according to Singh. East Camino Cielo Road will be closed to all traffic at the junctions of Painted Cave Road and Gibraltar Road for the safety of firefighter per-
High Goal Polo Season
sonnel and equipment movement, and Paradise Road remains closed. An evacuation order remains in effect for the Paradise Road recreation areas, parts of Stagecoach Road and the Los Prietos Boys Camp, as well as multiple ranches in the surrounding fire area. There are close to 1,500 fire personnel on the fire, with two firefighters from MFPD. There are 42 hand crews, 62 engines, 21 dozers, and 29 water tenders from across the state working the fire. The air resources include 16 helicopters, six air tankers, and two VLATs (Very Large Air Tankers). The start of the fire is still under investigation, though arson or intentional ignition is not suspected. Both the Los Padres National Forest Service and Santa Barbara County are keeping the public up-to-date on the fire’s progress on their respective social media and web pages.
Wilderness Youth Project by Ann Pieramici
Sunday’s Polo Match begins at 3:00 p.m. July 10 - August 28
Wilderness Youth Project after-school programs aim to get kids away from their screens and back into nature
Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) offers more than a dozen after-school, outdoor play options this Fall. Most classes begin Monday, August 29, and meet weekly for eight weeks, at various spots throughout Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Ojai. WYP is currently enrolling students, grades K-8 in its Chickadees, Grasshoppers, and Young Eagles programs, as well as a special 16-week Forest Preschool, an outdoor-focused learning environment for children ages 3 to 5 years old. Each week, WYP programs explore resource-rich locations such as the creeks, beaches, and open spaces in Santa Barbara’s abundant front country. Activities include child-centered exploration, awareness games, and the building of naturalist skills, using a nature-based mentoring curriculum that combines experience in nature with a hands-on learning process. Programs are intentionally limited to 12 children to maintain quality and a strong relationship between staff and students. WYP has been operating programs in the south-coast region of Santa Barbara for the past 17 years. To register or learn more about volunteering with WYP, visit http:// wyp.org. •MJ
SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB
Admission cost: $10.00 per person Children under 12 years old are free
For sponsorship information, Contact Charles Ward at (214) 995.5584
3300 Via Real, Carpinteria, CA 93013 For more information, please call (805) 684-6683 or visit www.sbpolo.com
Available for private parties, weddings, corporate events, Tennis & social memberships
Photos by: Kim Kumpart Photography
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
44 MONTECITO JOURNAL
@therealsbpolo
@sbprc
• The Voice of the Village •
25 August – 1 September 2016